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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for crucial Big Ten battle vs. Purdue

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 10: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates late in the in the second half during a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 10: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates late in the in the second half during a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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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)
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) /

2. Cassius Winston will have 10 assists, only one turnover

Turnovers were a major problem for Cassius Winston last year and on some occasions earlier this season. In fact, he accounted for five in a loss to Kansas at the Champions Classic and then had seven in a 10-point win over Texas at the Las Vegas Invitational. However, since Big Ten play kicked off back in earl December, he’s been smarter with the ball.

In fact, in four Big Ten contests, Winston has just five total turnovers and 35 assists. That’s an incredible 7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio in four conference games. That number will be even more gaudy after Tuesday night’s battle as he’ll finish with 10 assists and just one turnover.

Winston is also averaging 17 points per game in that span and he’s been shooting lights out — just like he did a year ago. The offense has been nearly flawless with Winston at the helm and improving tenfold since his sophomore season and he’ll continue that Big Ten Player of the Year candidacy against the Boilermakers.

Can anyone slow Winston down or will this just be another notch in his belt? Michigan State has to feel fortunate to have a guy who can find the open man, run the floor and protect the ball all at the same time.

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