5 Observations: Michigan State dominates Penn State for first Big Ten win

After a poor start to the season, Michigan State men's basketball has found its rhythm and is starting to look like the team which was ranked No. 4 in the preseason.

Tonight, the Spartans outclassed Penn State in every way in an impressive 92-61 victory. It was total domination from start to finish in this one for MSU, who played outstanding on both ends of the floor. The Nittany Lions won't compete for a whole lot in the Big Ten this year, but the Spartans did what they should against an overmatched opponent — they crushed 'em.

Here are five takeaways from Michigan State's lopsided victory...

1. Malik Hall starts fast in well-rounded effort

Fifth-year senior Malik Hall got off to a great start on the offensive end in this one, scoring 15 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting (including a fortunate bounce he was long due for on a 3-point attempt) in the first 14 minutes.

After going dormant offensively from a stretch, Hall had another hot stretch in the second half and finished with a well-rounded effort: 24 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. That ties a career-high in points for the senior.

This is now two really good back-to-back games that Hall has put together after being in a slump to start the year. On Saturday against Indiana State, the senior had 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and added eight rebounds, five assists and a steal. Hall is playing at a really high level right now, and that's a big development for Michigan State's frontcourt.

2. Spartans suffocating on defense

Listen, Penn State does not have a good basketball team, but the defensive effort from the Spartans tonight was downright impressive none-the-less. On their way to building a 25-point halftime lead, Michigan State had 11 steals and forced the Nittany Lions into 14 turnovers through 20 minutes.

MSU took advantage of those giveaways, scoring 20 points off Penn State turnovers. All those steals also allowed the Spartans to get out on the fastbreak, and Michigan State scored 11 points in transition in the first half alone. The constant intensity wore on the Nittany Lions, who were held to 38% shooting from the floor and 1-of-10 from 3-point range in the first frame.

The Spartans were just as suffocating in the second half, holding Penn State to 28% shooting from the floor and 2-for-19 from deep. The Nittany Lions had only two turnovers after halftime, but Michigan State scored off of both those giveaways as well for a total of 24 points off TOs. For the game, MSU had 13 steals and scored 20 points in transition — just the way Tom Izzo likes it.

3. Tyson Walker, Mady Sissoko continue strong play

Tyson Walker has been excellent all season long, and Mady Sissoko has played much better of late for the Spartans. That continued tonight, as both senior put together strong performances.

Walker once again led MSU in scoring with 22 points, and he did it with an increased efficiency shooting 9-of-14 from the floor and 3-of-4 from the 3-point line. He filled out his box score with five assists, three rebounds and an impressive six steals. As for Sissoko, he continued his strong effort on the glass of late by grabbing 12 rebounds tonight and adding five points.

4. Tre Holloman continues his ascent

Sophomore Tre Holloman has made a huge leap in his second year in the program and that's a big development for Michigan State, especially with freshman Jeremy Fears sidelined for the foreseeable future. Tonight, Holloman played very well once again with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting and adding six assists without a turnover.

As for the starter, A.J. Hoggard had a solid outing with 10 points (4-of-7 shooting) and knocking down a pair of 3-pointers. He added four assists and two rebounds, but won't be pleased with his four turnovers.

5. MSU's confidence in soaring

Michigan State has won five consecutive games and looks like a totally different team than the one which opened the season losing five of their first nine games. The Spartans are playing with a ton of confidence and are having fun doing it. As MSU pulled away late in the first half, Walker hit freshman Coen Carr with a one-handed pass for a gravity-defying alley-oop slam that rocked the Breslin Center. Just a few minutes later, sophomore guard Tre Holloman made an eyebrow-raising play of his own when he threw down a nasty, one-handed slam in transition.