Michigan State basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win over Minnesota

Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from NCAA Tournament win over Minnesota

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5, Foster Loyer #3, Xavier Tillman #23 and Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate from the bench against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

2. Cassius Winston saved the day

The lead had gone from 20 to 15 all the way down to nine and Michigan State fans everywhere could just feel the air taken out of their sails as the Spartans were fumbling their way through the first few minutes of the second half.

Amir Coffey’s monstrous jam over Aaron Henry seemed to ignite the Gophers and it seemed like a comeback was inevitable.

And then Cassius Winston happened.

With a 40-31 lead, the slimmest since it was 20-11, Cassius knew he had to do something to get his team back on track and to silence the crowd that was growing with excitement — both Minnesota and Michigan fans cheering on the Gophers’ run. He scored on a nice step-back jumper and then proceeded to go on a 7-0 run of his own.

That was the difference in the game as Minnesota never recovered from that despite the fact Michigan State was turning it over at an alarming pace, giving the Gophers extra chances.

Cassius was the hero on Saturday, even on a night when he didn’t play his best offensive game, finishing with just 13 points and nine assists with four turnovers.

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