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Michigan State Basketball: 5 keys to victory over Michigan in season finale

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans and his teammates prepare to play the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans and his teammates prepare to play the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans talks with head coach Tom Izzo while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-70. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans talks with head coach Tom Izzo while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-70. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Winston needs to win the battle vs. Zavier Simpson (again)

Another key that I had for the Spartans in their first matchup, Cassius Winston has to win the battle versus Zavier Simpson. He won the matchup the first time around with 27 points and eight assists in a gritty road effort where he made no 3-pointers and just did what he want against the Wolverines all afternoon long.

This time around, he needs to realize that the Wolverines are going to double-team again and he needs to split the double-teams which is where he found the most success a couple of weeks ago.

When the Spartans set picks for Winston, they’re going to have to realize the extra defender will likely double Winston, forcing him to get rid of it and he needs to find the open man streaking toward the basket every time.

Winston is coming off one of his worst games of the season but he still finished with 10 assists and just three turnovers while scoring eight points. He needs to put that game behind him and get ready for the toughest test he’s going to face all year with a Michigan team that has likely revamped the game plan on him this time around.

Simpson is going to place some suffocating defense, but Winston needs to show up like he did the first time around and win the head-to-head battle.

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