No. 6 Michigan State over Penn State, 71-56

Tom Izzo wasn't impressed.

The Spartans built a big lead early and dominated at times in the paint in their 71-56 win on Sunday. From Izzo's standpoint, that's all they did well and that won't be enough for the Spartans to be the team they want to be.

"Maybe we're all talking too much about how good we are," Izzo said. "We're not that good."

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 29: Michigan State Spartans Head Basketball Coach Tom Izzo watches the action dusting the first half of the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at the Breslin Center on December 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Northern Illinois 88-60. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Playing without guards Joshua Langford and Kyle Ahrens, Michigan State's offense suffered through spurts of inconsistency while also mounting the runs necessary to keep the game out of reach.

Nick Ward had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Matt McQuaid added 15 points and Cassius Winston chipped in 11 for the Spartans (15-2, 6-0 Big Ten), who have won 10 straight. They also beat the Nittany Lions (7-10, 0-6) for the 10th consecutive time.

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 21: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the second half at Breslin Center on December 21, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

Michigan State turned the ball over 17 times and shot 49 percent from the field.

"They missed some shots that I think they could've made," Izzo said. "The turnovers were a joke."

Kenny Goins added 10 rebounds for the Spartans, who only trailed for 10 seconds and led by as many as 21 with 6:44 to play.

The Spartans took control just over five minutes into the first half with a relentless possession.

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 27: Tom Izzo the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans gives instructions to Cassius Winston #5 against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Fueled by a pair of offensive rebounds from Goins and Xavier Tillman, the Spartans controlled the ball for nearly 40 seconds and took the lead for good when Winston pinpointed a bounce pass through traffic to Goins, who finished with a right-handed dunk. Goins' jam sparked a 28-14 run for the Spartans, who led 40-24 at halftime.

Lamar Stevens led Penn State (7-10, 0-6) with 20 points. Myles Dread, Josh Reaves and Mike Watkins all scored 11 points.

"We haven't brought it all together yet," Penn State coach Patrick Chambers said. "We still have 14 (games) to go and we can turn this ship around right away."

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM

Izzo leveled some pointed criticism at Winston.

 

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: Head Coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans asks the referees for a foul against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 86-77. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

"I hate to say it, and I'm giving him credit for the whole season, but I told Cass, that was one of the worst games I've seen him play," Izzo said.

Winston, who entered averaging 18 points per game, led the team with seven turnovers. His 11 points were his lowest output since Florida held him to 10 on Dec. 8.

Izzo said he wasn't sure when Langford and Ahrens, who missed his first game this season with a back injury, would be back to help take the load off Winston in the backcourt.

"He sure as hell deserves a hall pass," Izzo said. "But he can't get many of them if we're going to be a real good team."

DOMINATION ON THE GLASS

Ward and Goins combined to grab more than half the Spartans' rebounds. Overall, Michigan State outrebounded Penn State 41-21 but only scored two more points in the paint than Penn State's 22.

"We did a better job keeping them off the glass in the second half," Chambers said.

NOTHING TO DREAD

Dread went down with an apparent ankle injury with 8:11 to play.

The freshman guard got tangled up with Ward chasing a loose ball, fell and appeared to twist his left leg while sliding to a stop. He writhed in pain and had to be helped to the locker room. He was able to return minutes later, however.

Dread entered the afternoon averaging 8.4 points per game, and his 28.3 minutes per game were fourth on the team.

BIG PICTURE

Michigan State: The Spartans are getting by just fine without Langford, who missed his fourth straight game with an ankle injury. In his place, a handful of Spartans have provided scoring depth, including Ahrens, Aaron Henry and McQuaid.

Penn State: The Nittany Lions are in desperate need of some positivity. Their 0-6 start in the Big Ten is their worst since the 2014-15 season, when they finished 4-14 in conference play.

UP NEXT

Michigan State: Visits Nebraska on Thursday.

Penn State: Hosts Iowa on Wednesday.

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