Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win over Minnesota
3. Cassius Winston must get more shots up
Is there a more underrated player in the Big Ten than Cassius Winston? It’d be tough to find a point guard who can do as much as Cassius does, but his quality play is often overshadowed by guys like Nick Ward, Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr.
It’s not easy being a fourth or fifth option on the offensive end, but he needs to shake that distinction. He’s much better than a fallback option on offense, but rarely does he get to prove it.
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Minnesota found out the hard way that he’s one of the best shooters in the conference, if not the country. He was putting on a show in the first few minutes of the game, draining 3-pointer after 3-pointer en route to a 12-point showing on 4-of-5 makes from deep.
After those first few minutes when he seemingly wasn’t missing, Winston stopped looking for his own shot and that’s something that needs to be addressed. The sophomore point guard must shoot more, especially when he makes 53 percent of his 3-pointers and 52 percent of his field goals.
Winston could probably scored 15-plus points per game if he wanted to, but he averages just 7.6 field goal attempts. This needs to change in the offense wants to be even more effective. When he’s on, there’s no stopping this team.