Matt McQuaid takes responsibility for breaking the piano. The Christmas tree? Yeah, that was his fault too. And countless other pieces of furniture around the house. But, all these years later, the Little Tikes basketball hoop that was at the root of all those mishaps still stands proudly upstairs in the family home in Duncanville, Texas. “I can’t get rid of it,” his mom, Karen McQuaid joked.
Source: Lansing State Journal
“We’ve just got a really close group,” McQuaid said. “We play for each other. Everybody has the same goals. We all just want to win, and are just playing for each other. Our energy, we feed off of each other and it’s really big for us.”Of course, McQuaid is right. One player won’t take a team far. Or can it?
Source: Detroit News
“I got you. I’m about to go off.” To say that the senior shooting guard from Texas kept his promise doesn’t capture what he did for MSU in the Big Ten tournament title game against Michigan on Sunday at the United Center. For he did so much more.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Michigan State’s banner weekend extended into Monday night. After finishing as Big Ten co-champions Saturday and securing a third 2019 commitment Sunday, the Spartans had an impressive haul when the conference announced its postseason awards the following day.
Source: Spartan Tailgate
There’s the rivalry, a second showdown against No. 7 Michigan in a two-week window for in-state supremacy. There’s the game, a chance to capture a second straight Big Ten regular-season championship — and doing so against the hated Wolverines. And then there’s senior day, the final time Kenny Goins and Matt McQuaid will play in the green and white at Breslin Center.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball’s interesting win over Nebraska Lansing State Journal
1. Izzo turns to freshmen in late-season maneuver – some of it might stick
2. Goins is a big part of MSU’s ceiling this month
3. McQuaid’s ability to create his own shot has changed his game
Michigan State’s overcomes injuries, odd lineups to hammer Nebraska Detroit Free Press
It wasn’t senior night, but injury-depleted No. 9 Michigan State got plenty from its two elder statesmen Tuesday. Kenny Goins and Matt McQuaid both set career highs, combining for 46 points, as the Spartans overcame injuries and an off night from Cassius Winston en route to a 91-76 victory over Nebraska at Breslin Center.
Hot shooting Kenny Goins, Matt McQuaid lead Michigan State to rout of Nebraska mlive.com
Senior night isn’t for another four days at Breslin Center, but Michigan State’s two-player senior class got the festivities going early. Kenny Goins and Matt McQuaid both had career offensive games as Michigan State routed Nebraska, 91-76, on Wednesday night at Breslin Center.
Spartan seniors lead MSU to victory over Nebraska Spartan Tailgate
As No. 9 Michigan State began its final homestand of the regular season it leaned on its two seniors and a rising freshman to carry it over Nebraska Saturday night at the Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Cornhuskers 91-76 on a night where Kenny Goins, Matt McQuaid, and freshman Aaron Henry produced career-high scoring performances.
Goins, McQuaid lead No. 9 Michigan State in 91-76 romp over Nebraska Detroit News
Kenny Goins’ time at Michigan State is running out. The same goes for Matt McQuaid. The Spartans seniors showed a sense of urgency on Tuesday night reserved for players that have no intention of going out quietly in the final week of the regular season. Each scored a career-best with Goins netting 24 and McQuaid going for 22 as No. 9 Michigan State rolled over Nebraska, 91-76, at the Breslin Center.
Seniors show out for win over Nebraska The Only Colors
After Michigan State’s 91-76 point win against Nebraska, one might call Tuesday night’s game, the Kenny Goins show. Or maybe the Matt McQuaid show. Or even both, since the two seniors each had career-highs and kept the crowd on their feet the whole game. “It’s just March you know, the intensity [has] risen, the stakes are higher… it’s time to step up for everybody,” said McQuaid.
Goins, McQuaid Lead No. 9 Michigan State Past Nebraska, 91-76 MSU Official
Redshirt senior Kenny Goins scored a career-high 24 points and hit a career-best six 3-pointers and senior guard Matt McQuaid had a career-high 22 points as No. 9 Michigan State used a big first half to beat Nebraska, 91-76, at the Breslin Center Tuesday night.
Matt McQuaid sat out practice Thursday, a victim of a slightly sprained right ankle. Another day, another injury to another Michigan State player. But McQuaid is not just any MSU player. He, Cassius Winston and Kenny Goins have become the Spartans’ iron men in the past two months. And coach Tom Izzo needs them to continue that heading into the homestretch toward a potential Big Ten regular-season title and the postseason.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Tom Izzo has downplayed his talent all season. Even this week, during his weekly news conference at the Breslin Center, he said his Michigan State Spartans have a small margin for error. This is partly because of injuries; two of his three most skilled players — Joshua Langford and Nick Ward — are out. Yet even before he lost them, Izzo softened his team’s expectations … at least publicly.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Matt McQuaid started the second half by taking a bad shot, then fouling Michigan’s Ignas Brazdeikis on a 3-point attempt. Then McQuaid, Michigan State basketball’s senior captain, plowed over Michigan’s Jordan Poole on offense, stumbling directly into Tom Izzo’s angrily awaiting arms.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Matt Mcquaid talks about his time at MSU while the team takes on both Wisconsin and Ohio State. Zach Osburn from MSU Hockey talks senior night and his class. Women’s Basketball takes on Indiana.
“Matt’s dad came up and came to practice (Friday). Matt shot the lights out at practice, so I’m gonna see if he’ll get an apartment for a month or something,” coach Tom Izzo said. “It made a big difference. Matt shot really well yesterday and he shot even better today. Got a little crazy there a couple times. I guess I don’t blame him, he’s been in a little bit of a slump.”
Source: Detroit Free Press
When Matt McQuaid first came to Michigan State in 2015, there was no question as to his most impressive attribute.”He’s a guy that’s going to be able to shoot it from anywhere in the 517 area code,” Spartans coach Tom Izzo said when he signed his letter of intent four years ago.
Source: mlive.com
If you want to know why this Michigan State basketball team wins, watch Tuesday night’s game against Purdue again. Watch Matt McQuaid. Watch Cassius Winston. Watch Purdue’s Carsen Edwards.The contrast is staggering. A commitment to winning on one hand, versus a commitment to scoring and to one’s self.
Source: Lansing State Journal
Matt McQuaid did not turn into a star despite Vitale‘s overzealous praise. Make no mistake, the senior shooting guard has made himself into a very solid basketball player for Michigan State.
Source: The Only Colors
Michigan State’s basketball team is about to attempt to take down one of the longstanding truths of college hoops — that role players don’t travel. Meaning, the Matt McQuaid, Kyle Ahrens, and Kenny Goins types tend to have their big games at home and shrink in hostile buildings.
Source: Lansing State Journal
For the first time since this season started, Tom Izzo had a true decision to make about his starting lineup. Senior guard Matt McQuaid was returning to full health for the Spartans’ Sunday game against Green Bay after recovering from a thigh bruise that cost him three games in late November and early December.
Source: mlive.com
McQuaid, a senior captain, said he hopes to be closer to 100 percent Sunday when the Spartans host Wisconsin-Green Bay at Breslin Center (5 p.m./BTN). But he, Ahrens and fifth-year senior Goins are enjoying the opportunities to play significant roles and significant minutes for the Spartans after significant injuries between them over their careers. Knees and legs. Feet and ankles. Broken noses and abdominal repair. Games missed. Summers lost.
Source: Detroit Free Press
The next Michigan State basketball game Matt McQuaid wants to watch is the first one he’s not eligible to play in. Until then, the Spartans’ senior captain has no interest in spectating. Not after the agonizing experience of viewing his team play Louisville and Rutgers through a screen as he sat powerless miles away.
Source: Spartan Tailgate