Three takeaways from Michigan State's narrow win over Oakland

Michigan State basketball went to Detroit and survived a scare from Oakland inside of Little Caesars Arena on Saturday afternoon. As it seems to always go, the Golden Grizzlies gave the Spartans fits, and MSU could never really pull away, despite a 79-70 win.

Certainly, it is not a game that the Spartans are going to be content with, and the fanbase will also have some contentious feelings about the performance. All are valid and make sense.

In the end though, lessons are better taught in a win, rather than a loss. Nonetheless, we are going to break down our three takeaways from the narrow win in Detroit.

1. Stretches of bad basketball are trending

The first ten minutes of this game might have been the worst stretch of basketball the team has played all season long. What is even more scary, this has been a trend lately. Various ten minute stretches in the last four games have been abysmal.

The Spartans could overcome those stretches against Penn State, Toledo and Oakland, but come Big Ten play or even tourney time, that could cost this team very meaningful games. Furthermore, it could cost the team a buy game and a bad upset.

All in all, whatever it may be, this team needs to figure out these extended funks that seem to continue to show up.

2. Coen Carr

Carr has taken a ton of criticism lately, and honestly, it has been warranted. Carr has struggled in the half court offense, and it has really hindered this team.

On Saturday, Carr made strides in his half court effort, and showed how effective this team is when he is excelling in the half court offense.

Obviously, the jump shot is a work in progress for Carr, but he needs to find something to spread the offense out against better defenses.

3. Somebody has to take hold of the 2-spot

Recently, it has been Divine Ugochukwu starting at the two guard, but Kur Teng being the leading scorer at the position and Trey Fort barely sniffing the floor. All of that, with the sprinkle of Jordan Scott at the position.

At the end of the day, the experimental time is starting to close and Tom Izzo needs to figure out who he is going to trust, while someone from this group needs to step up.

As of right now, Teng has been that guy.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Three takeaways from Michigan State's narrow win over Oakland