This is a different version of the Gophers, though, who hadn’t played competition nearly as strong as Michigan State yet this year. The result was being outscored 20-2 during one stretch of the first half, including the Spartans getting 17 consecutive points after former Cretin-Derham Hall star Tre Holloman’s three made it 29-14 with 7:17 remaining. Holloman had eight points and eight assists.
The Gophers trailed 42-30 at halftime, but the Spartans stretched that advantage to 74-54 just under six minutes left in the second half.
Johnson’s team got a taste of tougher competition when the U lost to Wichita State and Wake Forest in Orlando. Both opponents threw everything they had at shutting down Garcia, but the Gophers still had a chance to win both games down the stretch by defending.
Michigan State showed up Wednesday with more grit combined with a longer, deeper and more athletic team than the Gophers had faced before.
Xavier Booker and Coen Carr, who combined for 23 points off the bench, both resembled NBA-caliber athletes who were too difficult to stick with on the move. Jaxon Kohler, a 6-9, 245-pound bruiser, pounded his way to 11 points and 11 rebounds.
“What we emphasized and talked about in the scout is exactly what we saw,” Johnson said. “It’s that consistency part. It’s not having the breakdowns against good teams. Where one breakdown leads to two and to three.”
