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Michigan State Basketball: Final player grades for 2018-19 season

By Connor Muldowney

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Kenny Goins #25, Xavier Tillman #23 and Aaron Henry #11 of the Michigan State Spartans huddle up prior to 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: Kenny Goins #25, Xavier Tillman #23 and Aaron Henry #11 of the Michigan State Spartans huddle up prior to 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: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans looks on 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: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans looks on 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) /

. F. Senior. KENNY GOINS. B+

Another guy who I’ve been harsh on throughout his career because he lacked an semblance of an offensive game before his senior year, Kenny Goins opened some eyes to finish off his Spartan career.

Goins, a former walk-on as we all know by now, made some clutch shots throughout the year, even earning the nickname “Big Shot Kenny” from fans on social media. He made one against Wisconsin, multiple versus Michigan and capped off the year with arguably the biggest shot for Michigan State in the past decade, a 3-pointer to beat Duke.

The fifth-year senior was one of the leaders of the team and provided the famous “nut up or shut up” quote that sparked a turnaround following a tough three-game skid in the middle of Big Ten play, right after Josh Langford was officially ruled out for the year.

It’s hard to pinpoint a more important role player on any team in the Big Ten because Goins did a little of everything. He rebounded, defended guys that were much bigger than him and held his own, facilitated on offense and could score from anywhere — though he didn’t hunt for his own shots.

Goins finished the season with a 7.9-point, 8.9-rebound average and his shooting numbers dwindled due to a cold stretch in the Big Ten Championship through the NCAA Tournament.

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