Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State's 76-72 overtime win over Rutgers

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch gives his initial thoughts on the Spartans' 76-72 overtime win over Rutgers Wednesday night at Breslin Center.

1. MSU needs someone to step up and pull it through nights like this

EAST LANSING – This was a tough game for Michigan State in this sense — it was against an uninspiring but improving opponent, three days after a loss that couldn’t be fixed on its home court against Rutgers. MSU looked in a fog, its swagger admittedly dinged at Ohio State. Still, this shouldn’t happen. 

MSU was a step slow on the glass. The ball didn’t move as it has in recent weeks. Miles Bridges didn't score in the first half. Point guard Cassius Winston looked out of sorts at times and was pulled for the final 40 seconds of regulation. Tum Tum Nairn took his place on defense when possible after that — though Winston did make the pass of the day in overtime and hit six free throws in the final 28 seconds. This 76-72 OT win came hard. It almost didn’t come at all. This was a hangover game.

It’ll be easier to get up Saturday against Michigan. There will be nights like this again, however. By the time MSU put itself in the fight and starting grinding, Rutgers wasn’t going anywhere. The Scarlet Knights were the tougher team. MSU has to become a tougher team. It has to be mature enough to bring it every time it steps on the court. The schedule the rest of the way deserves that respect. Rutgers, frankly, deserved that respect.

If that doesn’t start happening, the Spartans will squander this golden opportunity. This is still unquestionably Tom Izzo’s most gifted roster. It’s not close to his grittiest roster. It needs a player to take control. Someone to hold everyone accountable.

2. That leader needs to be Miles Bridges

The headband was gone from Miles Bridges’ forehead when he reappeared for the second half — he'd thrown it in disgust at halftime. Michigan State’s sophomore star looked determined and focused, even if still imperfect. MSU needs this from him every half, every night if it wants to win the Big Ten and things beyond that. 

His game will keep developing — it is, you can see it, improved ball-handling opening up new possibilities. But it’s mindset that MSU needs most from him.

MORE:Miles Bridges, Joshua Langford deliver late as Spartans survive Rutgers in OT, 76-72

Bridges’ drive and left-handed bank scoop shot for a 45-41 lead was a follow-me sort of moment. Same for the 3-pointer late in the shot clock to put MSU ahead 53-45. And the 3-pointer to open overtime. He took the ball late in regulation, looking to drive twice in the final minute. That’s good. Bridges doesn’t have to be a 25-point scorer. This team has plenty of offense. It’s key moments. It’s tone. It’s a look on his face that says, “I want this badly so you’d better want it badly, too.” That’s what MSU requires from him. All of the time. He’s the guy. He's the one they all look to.

3. Kenny Goins’ late minutes are telling – Jaren Jackson should notice

Kenny Goins played 23 minutes Wednesday night — a lot of key minutes, a lot late in the game. It wasn’t for his offense. Izzo trusts him defensively, setting screens on offense. He trusted him in this matchup with DeShawn Freeman. And Goins, I thought, was pretty good in that respect (until Freeman’s late 3 over him brought Rutgers to within 57-55).

Jaren Jackson Jr. should look at this and know he has to go to work. Because MSU is better in a lot of ways when he’s on the floor instead of Goins — offense and rim protection, mostly. But he has to be trusted to be in the right places, to be locked in. Izzo made his choice when the game was on the line. It was Goins. Then Goins botched the handle on a pass after giving up the 3 and Izzo went back to Jackson. The choice should be clearer than that. 

Bonus take: MSU hasn’t been in these types of games and it showed

The Spartans’ last close game — as in down to the final possessions type of game — came against Duke on Nov. 14. They hadn’t played in a game where the body gets tight and the nerves are real since then. In that sense, this was good for them (though only since they won). They need a few more of these, which will surely come in Big Ten play, especially on the road. 

MSU looked tight late in regulation. That look won’t last in the NCAA tournament. 

The Joshua Langford 3-pointer in the corner for a 70-67 lead in the final minute of overtime — on a terrific dish from Winston — could be an important moment in the season. Langford appeared to want the shot, when missing meant maybe losing. By that point, the Spartans knew this was serious.

Back to the first take: This team needs to develop a toughness about it. Everything else is there. That missing element threatens everything else.

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