Despite the game’s island destination, the matchup was anything but pretty for Michigan State. And if there’s one thing the Spartans learned from this upset, it’s that a team who can sink 3-pointers is their kryptonite.

Virginia Tech went 10-21 for 3-point field goals. But the main fuel to the Hokies rally, and the main dagger to the Spartans’ game, was MSU’s turnovers.

Michigan State committed 16 turnovers, allowing the Hokies to accumulate 20 points off of turnovers.

Ironically, it was the MSU starters who drilled the Spartans to the floor in turnovers. Junior forward Xavier Tillman had the most at five, with freshman guard Rocket Watts just behind him at four. After that, it was senior guard Cassius Winston and sophomore forward Aaron Henry who each put another three turnovers on the board for the Spartans.

The first half did anything but set the pace for the Spartans.

Winston stacked up two early fouls in the first half, putting him on the bench for the last 9:56 of the half and throwing the Spartan offense completely off-balance. 

MSU suffered through a 1 for 11 scoring drought midway through the first before Watts broke the curse.

The Detroit native kept the Spartans alive late in the first, sinking two crucial three’s to save the Spartans from falling too far behind, entering halftime down 32-28.

Despite an undoubtedly tough locker room atmosphere at halftime, the Spartans still couldn’t pull things together in the second half.

Virginia Tech edged a 10-point lead over the Spartans with just 4:34 left, and panic started to set in.  

Sophomore forward Gabe Brown sunk a pivotal 3-point jumper while Henry came in late to put the Spartans within one going into the last minute.

But the Hokies' Landers Nolley II came back with a next to perfect shot from behind the arc that lead Virginia Tech to their 71-66 win in the final minute.

The Spartans will play Georgia, who lost to Dayton, tomorrow at 2:30 EST.