Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from impressive Ohio State win

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Andre Weeson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes battles for a loose ball against Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Andre Weeson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes battles for a loose ball against Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Senior leaders stepped up

On an afternoon when Cassius Winston wasn’t having his best game and Nick Ward was on the bench nursing what has been revealed as a hairline fracture in his left hand, the Spartan seniors stepped up.

No, this isn’t a typical Michigan State season in which the Spartans have 4-5 seniors riddled throughout the roster, but rather two key guys in their final year in East Lansing: Matt McQuaid and Kenny Goins.

McQuaid has been a defensive stopper all season long and acted as just that on Sunday afternoon, stifling the Buckeyes on the perimeter and coming up with big play after big play in the second half against Ohio State on that end. He added some offense, too, with a team-high 14 points thanks to 4-of-6 makes from long-range.

Goins, on the other hand, has played solid defense but he just does a little of everything. You could argue he’s the heart of the team as a former walk-on turned senior leader. He can defend, rebound and his shooting touch has improved drastically. He did it all on Sunday with 10 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and a steal.

When Michigan State needed someone to step up with Cassius having a rough game, Goins and McQuaid answered the call together.

Home/Spartans Basketball