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Michigan State Basketball: Position-by-position breakdown vs. Michigan

By Nate Rhoades

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 while playing the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 while playing the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

POINT GUARD

Cassius Winston (18.9 points, 7.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds)

Cassius Winston is the leader of this MSU squad. If the Spartans want to come away with an upset victory in Crisler Arena, they will have to be led by Winston. He’s the leading scorer for this team along with the best passer. He can shoot the deep ball or he can take it to the hole. Winston is a crafty guard who can be a force to be reckoned with if he’s on his game. There’s not much that this man cannot do.

In order for the Spartans to win, Winston will need to score 20-25 points have not be too careless with the ball because turnovers will hurt this team.

Zavier Simpson (8.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds)

Winston will have to match up against Zavier Simpson. He’s not the most effective shooter and he’s not great at the free throw line but he can put the ball on the floor and take you to the basket.

Simpson also makes up for his lack of scoring on the defensive side of the ball. The Michigan point guard is a great defender and will try to wreak havoc on Winston all game long. In fact, the last few times these two teams have matched up against each other, Simpson has taken advantage of Winston and had his number. Will he be able to do this same thing and slow Winston down this year?

Slight Advantage: Winston

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