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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Final Four battle vs. Texas Tech

By Connor Muldowney

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with his teammates after a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with his teammates after a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. Cassius Winston finishes with 12 assists

As I mentioned previously, Texas Tech’s no-middle defense usually prevents drives down the middle of the lane and forces the ball to the outside and on the baseline. That means Cassius Winston is going to need to be extra crafty.

The junior point guard has been excellent with his craftiness so far in the tourney with 31 assists in four games. He’s turned the ball over 11 times, but nine of those came against LSU and Minnesota where he was just a little too casual with the rock in his hands. His one turnover against Duke showed that he can be careful against elite teams.

Against a top-tier Texas Tech defense, he’s going to be on top of his game. He’ll be smart with his passes and he won’t try to force too much, but he’ll make some plays that will open some eyes and drop some jaws — and not all of it will be his scoring.

Cassius will drive the lane and when the defense collapses on him, he’ll either snap a quick pass to Xavier Tillman, Nick Ward or Kenny Goins in the post or kick it out to an open Matt McQuaid or slashing Aaron Henry on the perimeter. He may even fake a few drives down the middle just to catch the defense off guard and then kick it to an open man.

Winston will finish with 12 assists on the day, recording a double-double, too.

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