Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from comeback win at Penn State

By Connor Muldowney

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in action against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on February 29, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in action against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on February 29, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 12: Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans is seen during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 12, 2020 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 12: Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans is seen during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 12, 2020 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. Rocket Watts is developing a killer instinct

When Michigan State needed a perfect start to the second half, Rocket Watts delivered. The freshman guard stepped up to play stingy defense and hit some big shots, scoring 11 of his 18 points in the final 20 minutes.

Although his shooting numbers weren’t the prettiest (7-for-20 and 2-of-10 from 3), Rocket took some big shots and drained them.

This wasn’t Cassius Winston’s best game, either, as he had 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting but he found Rocket quite a bit which took the pressure off the senior point guard. That’s exactly what Michigan State needs down the stretch. The Spartans need Watts to take that pressure off Winston in the backcourt and let him playoff off the ball.

Watts has not only taken pressure off Cassius, but he’s showing that he can take the torch for next season and beyond.

This kid is playing impressive basketball on both ends right now and you don’t often see this type of confident play from freshmen.

Home/Spartans Basketball