Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State's win over DePaul at the PK80

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch gives his initial thoughts on Michigan State’s 73-51 win over DePaul in the wee hours of Friday morning.

1. Miles Bridges' injury might have forced Matt McQuaid out of his funk

PORTLAND, Ore. — In two-plus seasons at Michigan State, Matt McQuaid has shown that he can be a player in big-time moments and that he can also completely disappear offensively for games at a time.

Miles Bridges’ ankle injury has forced McQuaid into a bigger role this week. There is no choice but for him to let the shots fly. When he does that, he usually finds confidence and makes his share. 

He did that late Thursday night (err, Friday morning back home). McQuaid came out of the gate firing, first off a screen, then later on standing catch-and-shoots. He hit six 3-pointers on eight attempts and scored 20 points. He was active in other facets, too. He played through cramping and a rolled ankle. This is the player he can be. He doesn’t always have to score like this. But he always should be a willing and wanting shooter. Just as much so when Bridges returns.

2. When the Spartans attack the rim, they get buckets, calls and open shots

It seems pretty simple: If the officials are calling every hint of contact on the drive or in the post, get your butt on the drive or in the post. MSU did that in the second half and, boom, they pulled away. DePaul withered, too. That’s what DePaul usually does. But MSU had to punch them in the mouth for it to happen. This group finally woke up and did it.

The Spartans were again flummoxed by a zone in the first half. Foul trouble didn’t help. Neither did MSU’s lack of penetration. The Spartans’ best offense against it was Ben Carter in the high post. That might be something they can lean on against zones down the road. They’re going to see them again. And again. Duke and DePaul both gave MSU fits with zone defense. Others will see that.

MORE: Couch: Conner George's big night for Michigan State vs. DePaul doesn't need exaggeration

MORE:  Michigan State pulls away from DePaul in PK80 opener, 73-51

3. If DePaul felt like a chore, UConn could be a bear

MSU’s next matchup here at the PK80 is 4-0 Connecticut, which beat Oregon, 71-63, Thursday night, in what was sort of an upset. That game is set for midnight ET Friday night.

UConn is a better defensive club than DePaul. The Huskies won Thursday despite just four assists and 10 turnovers, while shooting 3-for-17 on 3-point attempts. Oregon, also a young squad, was worse in both categories. 

UConn is a familiar program to MSU, even if not this roster. The Huskies beat the Spartans in Germany to start the 2012-13 season — Kevin Ollie’s first game as coach — and then, in their most recent meeting, knocked off MSU in the 2014 NCAA tournament regional finals during an improbable national championship run

This UConn team has one opponent in common with MSU already, Stony Brook, which the Huskies beat 72-64 on Nov. 14.

“We’re going to try to do our pressure,” Ollie said Thursday night of matching up against MSU. “They’ve got some great players. We’re going to try to keep it out of Cassius’ hands, play our solid defense.”

Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Graham_Couch.