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Michigan State Basketball: Where does Cassius Winston rank among Izzo’s PGs?

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 21: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Braden Norris #1 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the first half at Breslin Center on December 21, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 21: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Braden Norris #1 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the first half at Breslin Center on December 21, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Cassius Winston is one of the best point guards Tom Izzo has ever had but where does he rank among former Michigan State basketball points?

As Cassius Winston committed to Michigan State’s 2016 recruiting class, Tom Izzo felt good about his point guard of the future and fans just assumed he’d be a solid leader and great passer. Little did they know he would become one of the best offensive point guards in Michigan State history.

Being compared to the likes of Mateen Cleaves, Kalin Lucas and Drew Neitzel may not be favorable for most, but Winston is actually not far off from the former Spartan point guards who starred in East Lansing.

Could Winston be the best point guard in the Izzo era at Michigan State?

Let’s take a look at the career-highs for a single season for some of Izzo’s other great point guards:

  • Mateen Cleaves: 16.1 points, 7.2 assists, 2.4 steals, 40% FG, 34% 3-point
  • Marcus Taylor: 16.8 points, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 40% FG, 36% 3-point
  • Drew Neitzel: 18.1 points, 4.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 43% FG, 41% 3-point
  • Kalin Lucas: 17.0 points, 3.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 43% FG, 39% 3-point
  • Keith Appling: 13.4 points, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 42% FG, 32% 3-point
  • Travis Trice: 15.3 points, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 40% FG, 37% 3-point

And how does Winston stack up to these former MSU greats at point guard?

  • Cassius Winston: 16.9 points, 7.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 45% FG, 41% 3-point

Compared to all of Izzo’s point guards, Cassius is right up there with the best scorers. He is third behind Neitzel and Lucas but he’s the best passer, showing up Mateen’s career-bests. Though he may not be the best defender, there’s a good chance he’s the best shooter of the bunch.

As a scorer, Winston is top-three, as a passer, he’s No. 1 or No. 2 and as a shooter, he has to be the No. 1 guy, along with Neitzel.

Rarely has Izzo had a guy who had such great command of the offense and who ran the floor as effectively as Winston. He has excellent court vision and if he improved his quickness on the defensive end, he could be considered the best in the Izzo era.

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There’s still time to improve on that end of the floor but as an offensive point guard, it’s hard to argue with Winston being Izzo’s best yet. Enjoy the next two years while he’s still in green and white, Spartan fans.

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