Michigan State Basketball: Report card for home-opening win over Binghamton

Michigan State basketball wiped the floor with Binghamton on Sunday night and looked much better than it did in the opener versus Kentucky.

Tragedy struck early on Sunday morning as Cassius Winston got the bad news. His younger brother Zachary passed away after being struck by a train. He was only 19.

No one expected the senior point guard to take the court less than 24 hours later in the Spartans’ home opener against Binghamton, but he did just that. He showed incredible toughness, strength and heart, leading Michigan State to a 100-47 victory over the Bearcats and he had one of the better games of his career.

It takes a special player to put up a double-double after receiving tragic news like the loss of a younger brother who had been a best friend of his and that’s what Cassius is.

Tom Izzo was frank after the game, stating that he didn’t quite know how to handle the situation other than telling Winston that he and the rest of the coaching staff and team would support him in any way possible. He gave him the option to sit out and Cassius wanted to play. He wanted to lead his team into battle because, well, that’s his second family.

We know Cassius got a passing grade from Sunday’s win, and then some, but who else earned an A in the win?