Michigan State Basketball: Report card for gritty win over Nebraska

Offense: C+

There aren’t too many positive things to say about this offense other than Cassius Winston. The junior point guard had his best career scoring game with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting and proved why he is currently the leader for Big Ten Player of the Year.

Besides Winston, though, things were ugly on this end of the floor.

Michigan State fans were hoping for a complete performance on both ends, but got a stellar defensive showing and a lackluster offensive output. When this team learns to put it all together, watch out.

Part of the struggle was the lack of two key players in Kyle Ahrens and Josh Langford. The latter has been out for five games and he is 15 points per game sitting on the bench and the former averages about six per game but provides a threat from anywhere on the floor. Without both of them, defenses can afford to relax a bit — and it puts more pressure on Winston.

Nick Ward didn’t have his best game, shooting just 6-for-13 from the field and ending with 15 points. Kenny Goins and Matt McQuaid were relevant on defense and on the glass, combining for 17 boards, but they also shot a combined 2-of-13 and 1-of-5 from deep. Neither could get anything going on offense.

Aaron Henry had one of his best games, shooting 4-for-5 and finishing with nine points and Xavier Tillman and Gabe Brown combined for just eight off the bench.

Michigan State shot 44 percent from the floor and just 30 percent from long range as buckets early in the second half were few and far between.