Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from huge win over No. 18 Iowa

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 25: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans late in the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Breslin Center on February 25, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 11: Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on February 11, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. Rocket Watts rose to the occasion

Up two points with about two minutes left, Rocket Watts got a pass at the top of the arc, squared his feet, rose and drained a huge 3-pointer to give Michigan State a 66-61 lead. This was arguably the turning point in the final minutes as it gave the Spartans some space after fighting for air the entire second half.

Watts stepped up when Michigan State needed him to and he took some pressure off Cassius Winston who had himself an incredible second half as well.

With Josh Langford being ruled out for the season, Michigan State knew it needed someone to step up and become that third scorer outside of Winston and Xavier Tillman and Watts looked like that guy on Tuesday night.

It’s taken the Spartans most of the year to find that missing piece to their “Big 3” and it looks like Aaron Henry and Rocket Watts are the two best options. Gabe Brown has been far too inconsistent lately, but it looks like Watts currently has the edge over Henry.

The freshman guard from Detroit finished with 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting.

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