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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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 21: Head coach Tom Izzo speaks with Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans 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) /

2. Cassius Winston put the team on his back — again

Michigan State didn’t look good against Bradley. In fact, the Spartans looked scared, tight and just all-around wide-eyed at the prospect of an upset alert.

Bradley was playing one heck of a game, making 3-pointers left and right and surpassing its season average for long-distance jumpers made in a game in just over a half. The Braves were on the verge of Middle Tennessee-ing Michigan State, but the Spartans went back to what has worked for them all season: Cassius Winston.

The junior point guard put the team on his back yet again, scoring 26 points with 15 of those coming in the second half.

The assist numbers were down as he had just four all game, but so were the turnovers. The Spartans finished with just nine total assists as well as turnovers and it was because Winston protected the ball even though he was getting blitzed with pressure all game long.

Winston put the team on his back yet again and proved why he was Big Ten Player of the Year.

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