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3 reasons Michigan State basketball can win 2021 Big Ten Tournament

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 25: A.J. Hoggard #11 and Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates 71 - 67 win against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Breslin Center on February 25, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 25: A.J. Hoggard #11 and Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates 71 - 67 win against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Breslin Center on February 25, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State’s Rocket Watts, left, moves to the basket as Michigan’s Mike Smith defends during the second half on Sunday, March 7, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.210307 Msu Um 160a
Michigan State’s Rocket Watts, left, moves to the basket as Michigan’s Mike Smith defends during the second half on Sunday, March 7, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.210307 Msu Um 160a /

2. Rocket Watts, Joey Hauser playing with newfound confidence

For the first time in months, both Rocket Watts and Joey Hauser played well in the same game. They both rose up when the team needed them most, scoring in double figures and leading the Spartans past No. 2 Michigan and into the NCAA Tournament.

Before the NCAA Tournament, however, the duo will have a chance to build on that newfound confidence in the Big Ten Tournament. This is the perfect situation for MSU.

Michigan State can beat just about anyone when Hauser and Watts are playing well at the same time because that gives the Spartans two more scoring threats on top of Aaron Henry and Joshua Langford. Having four legit scoring threats puts a strain on opposing defenses because they can’t crack down on or double any singular player.

Watts looked like a different player completely against Michigan. He looked like the guy we all expected when the year began. He looked like an All-Big Ten-caliber guard. He needs that to carry over into the Big Ten Tournament and I think him seeing those shots fall against Michigan was all he needed to spark his confidence moving forward.

The same goes for Hauser. He hit a couple of early shots against Michigan and played one of his best games of the season, finishing with 11 points on 71 percent shooting.

Both guys found their confidence and that’s bad news for the rest of the league.

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