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Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from title-clinching win over Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - MARCH 09: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans huddles with his team during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - MARCH 09: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans huddles with his team during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – MARCH 09: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 75-63 at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – MARCH 09: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 75-63 at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Cassius Winston is special — enjoy him while he’s here

Every program has a once-in-a-decade type of talent come through and change the entire culture. Many believed that would be Miles Bridges in his two seasons in East Lansing, but he never really became that legend that he was expected to be because, well, he was too unselfish. Instead of scoring 20-25 points per game like he was capable of, he would always try to get teammates involved.

That’s something you can’t knock, but at times, Bridges became too passive for being an all-everything talent with preseason expectations of a lock for Big Ten Player of the Year.

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Little did we know that there was a teammate in Bridges’ 2016 recruiting class that was actually going to be the one to be the once-in-a-decade player. Cassius Winston is that guy.

When you look back at all the great Michigan State point guards, under Tom Izzo, they’re usually the ones that stand out as being legends in East Lansing. Mateen Cleaves, Drew Neitzel, Kalin Lucas and even Denzel Valentine played some point and all are considered MSU greats.

Cassius will be on that list before it’s all said and done.

The junior point guard had a heck of a game against Michigan the first time around with 27 points and eight assists and really struggled early against the Wolverines on Saturday. He was in foul trouble and started 1-for-8 from the floor. And then something clicked.

He took over in the second half and put the team on his back, scoring 23 points to go along with seven assists.

You beat your rival, you’re considered a memorable player. You do so on Senior Day, having one of your best games and clinching the Big Ten title and a Big Ten Player of the Year award (most likely), you’re bordering on legend status.

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