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Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from sloppy win over Illinois

By Connor Muldowney

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks the ball against Leron Black #12 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks the ball against Leron Black #12 of the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Cassius Winston must play smarter, under control

Along the same line of the turnovers killing the Spartans, Cassius Winston just needs to play a smarter game. The Spartans are only going to go as far as Winston allows them. That may sound crazy, but the point guard is like the quarterback of the team and when he’s not playing well, it takes a collective effort to carry him to victory.

Winston had arguably his worst game of the season, turning the ball over eight times and it all started within the first couple of minutes as he couldn’t seem to shake Mark Alstork. It continued late in the second half when he fouled out thanks to his fourth offensive foul.

When he couldn’t create space, he tried to rush a drive to the basket and was caught pushing off. He must play smarter and more under control if Michigan State is going to go from being a good team to a great one.

There’s no doubt that Cassius has the ability to play a smart game as his basketball IQ is extremely high, but he needs to have a plan before he tries to execute something that’s not there. For example, he drove the lane a couple of times, the paint was cut off and then he tried to make a pass to a covered player which resulted in an easy steal.

Cassius must be better.

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