Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from mammoth win at Wisconsin

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MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 12: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans attempts a shot while being guarded by Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. Cassius Winston took lead in Big Ten POY race

The race for Big Ten Player of the Year seemed to take center stage on Tuesday night in Madison. It was Ethan Happ versus Cassius Winston and whoever had the better game, along with getting the win, was likely to take a slight lead in the race.

You can give that nod to Winston now.

Though Happ did have a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, reaching the 2,000-point mark for his career, Winston made the big shots down the stretch and had a more effective night.

Happ was stymied by Nick Ward and Xavier Tillman on the defensive end, shooting just 10-for-20 from the paint — not the most impressive numbers — while Winston scored 23 and made 8-of-17 shots, including 4-of-7 from deep.

The Spartans don’t win that game without Winston’s clutch 3-point makes and matchup nightmares where a big got switched onto him.

On top of that, Carsen Edwards’ Boilermakers lost to Maryland on the road and he shot just 8-for-27 from the floor and Ignas Brazdeikas and the Wolverines lost at Penn State and he scored just six points with no rebounds. Those were arguably the two top contenders outside of Winston and Happ.

Winston is on top right now.

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