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Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from epic comeback vs. Northwestern

By Connor Muldowney

ROSEMONT, IL - FEBRUARY 17: Jaren Jackson Jr. (C) of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after making a basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half on February 17, 2018 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 65-60. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
ROSEMONT, IL - FEBRUARY 17: Jaren Jackson Jr. (C) of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after making a basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half on February 17, 2018 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 65-60. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /
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ROSEMONT, IL – FEBRUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after making a three-point basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half on February 17, 2018 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 65-60. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
ROSEMONT, IL – FEBRUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after making a three-point basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half on February 17, 2018 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 65-60. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

1. Spartans go as Cassius Winston goes

This might be a bit of a “hot take” seeing as Miles Bridges is the best player on the team, but it has been proven over the past two games. Bridges has combined for 13 points in wins against Minnesota and Northwestern and the reason for the huge lead Michigan State jumped out to against the Gophers was Cassius Winston.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for February

The sophomore point guard’s early 3-point barrage buried the Gophers in the first half and he went on to play a clean game, finishing with 12 points and five assists.

Who can be credited for spearheading Michigan State’s comeback on Saturday afternoon at Allstate Arena? That’s right, it’s Cassius.

Michigan State was on the ropes, taking punch after punch from a hungry Northwestern team and Winston delivered uppercut after uppercut, in the form of 3-pointers. He drained a mid-range jumper as well to inch the Spartans even closer and it was a missed shot by him, resulting in a Nick Ward offensive rebound and put-back that tied the game up at 53-53 finally.

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for February

Winston stirs this offense’s drink and he’s continuing to get better and mature as a vocal leader. If Michigan State wants to make a run in March, it needs Winston to be on his game.

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