Michigan State Basketball: Report card for monster road win at Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 5: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans outruns a diving Keyshawn Woods #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes to a loose ball in the second half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 86-77. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Starters: A-

Without Josh Langford, guys needed to step up and both Matt McQuaid and Kyle Ahrens did just that. The two combined for 21 points and some clutch shots to go along with nine rebounds and three assists. They combined to make 7-of-12 shots from the floor and 3-of-7 from long range.

While they didn’t get much production on the offensive end from Kenny Goins, he did finish with eight rebounds and played solid defense. He had six points and two steals and was just a consistent overall performer. Basically, he had the exact game you’d expert from Goins.

Cassius Winston had the best game of anyone, and that was even after a shaky first half in which he had seven points and was getting burned defensively. He finished the game with 25 points, including 18 in the second half. He could not be stopped by the Buckeyes and he consistently blew by defenders for easy layups and he also hit a couple 3-pointers.

The junior point guard looks like the best player in the Big Ten right now.

Nick Ward, too, was solid against Kaleb Wesson, getting him to foul out even though he scored 25. The junior big man for the Spartans added 21 points of his own. He worked on his free throw shooting, making 11-of-14 and was a major reason the Spartans won.

Winston and Ward may be the best one-two punch in the Big Ten again.

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