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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for 2018 NCAA Tournament

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Miles Bridges #22 carries the Big Ten regular-season championship trophy after the Spartan defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Miles Bridges #22 carries the Big Ten regular-season championship trophy after the Spartan defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during semifinals of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during semifinals of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

1. Cassius Winston named Final Four MVP

This Final Four run will have the feel of the 2000 campaign when Mateen Cleaves became a household name, if he wasn’t already. Going into the tournament, plenty of people know who Cassius Winston is, but he will elevate his game to the next level down the stretch.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 reasons Spartans can make the Final Four

Winston has played exceptionally well this season, shooting over 50 percent from 3-point range and averaging 6.8 assists per game but he thrives in pressure situations. The entire NCAA Tournament is one big pressure situation and Winston’s going to go bananas.

Throughout the tournament, he’s going to average 13 points, eight assists and just two turnovers per game, shooting about 50 percent from both the floor and 3-point land. He will up his game in the Final Four, making a name for himself on the national stage.

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 biggest concerns before NCAA tourney

After the Spartans cut down the nets in San Antonio, he will be named the Final Four MVP, narrowly beating out fellow sophomore Miles Bridges. His hot stretch in the tournament will be remembered for years as he will be compared to Cleaves.

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