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Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons Spartans will beat Michigan for title

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 and Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans react after a 77-70 win over 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: Cassius Winston #5 and Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans react after a 77-70 win over 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: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a first half three point basket while playing 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: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a first half three point basket while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. MSU’s senior leaders

Not many teams have the good fortune that Michigan State does heading into a Senior Day and season finale all wrapped up into one with the seniors it has on the roster. On top of that, the Spartans are playing their biggest rival for at least a share of the Big Ten title.

A win means the Spartans hang a banner and the seniors leave a lasting legacy and a loss brings nothing to the table. A loss would hurt Kenny Goins and Matt McQuaid more than the casual fan would realize because their legacies at Michigan State mean everything to them and they’ve done a great job building from the ground up.

Goins has been one of the most consistent performers in the Big Ten and you could argue he’s the most improved player in the entire Big Ten while McQuaid has come into his own this season as a leader as well as a two-way player. In fact, he’s arguably the team’s best defender as well as a lights-out shooter.

These senior leaders aren’t going to let the Spartans lay an egg in their last-ever game played at Breslin Center and when the Spartans need big shots, they’ll get them.

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