Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from nail-biting win over Bradley

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 21: Aaron Henry #11, Matt McQuaid #20, Cassius Winston #5, Xavier Tillman #23, and Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans stand on the court during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament against the Bradley Braves at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Bradley gave Michigan State basketball all it could handle on Thursday afternoon, but the Spartans eked out a win. What’d we learn?

What’d we learn from the slim win over Bradley?

5. Kenny Goins needs to get going

Over the past two games, Kenny Goins has been cold as ice. He’s struggled mightily from the perimeter, shooting 0-for-11 from distance and he’s not much better from the floor, making just 1-of-16 shots. Those are Carsen Edwards-like numbers, and not in a good way.

If Michigan State is going to have any hope at a run to the Final Four, it’s going to need Goins to step up and put these poor shooting performances behind him.

Goins was once an overlooked piece on the offensive end of the court, but he’s become a critical member of the scoring attack, especially with Josh Langford out. He’s been relied upon to make big 3-pointers and gobble up offensive rebounds but he can’t go cold at the most crucial time of the season.

Michigan State needs him to get going, and soon.

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