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Big Ten Basketball: Buy or Sell Maryland, Purdue, Michigan and MSU

By Austin Walther

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with his team during the second half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with his team during the second half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 12: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 12: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Michigan State Spartans – Buy

It’s really hard to bet against Michigan State when they have Tom Izzo and Cassius Winston. It’s been four years since the Spartans have made it out of the second round. They made the final four as a seven seed in 2015. The Denzel Valentine led team the next year got bounced in the first round. Winston’s first year they barely made the Tournament. Last year was supposed to be another Final Four year, but they fell to the Syracuse zone in the second round.

Michigan State lost two lottery picks, but are still competing for one of the top-three seeds. They did lose an important piece of their back court for the season, but still look just as good as ever. The Spartans went on a 13-game winning streak this season. They haven’t had Joshua Langford since December 29 so he was gone for the first seven Big Ten games after the New Year.

The Spartans seemed to do just fine. Winston is comparable to an all-pro quarterback like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, where as long as he’s suiting up, there’s a chance at winning a title. As long as he takes care of the ball and stays out of foul trouble, Michigan State is a good bet to go on a long run in March. The 13-game winning streak shot Michigan State all the way up to sixth in the country and saw themselves on the one line in bracketology reports.

Two teams with long winning streaks went at it at the end of January. Purdue hosted Michigan State and the Boilermakers got their signature win. The Spartans though looked exposed without Langford for the first time in a month. The next game was at home, with ESPN College GameDay in-house to a struggling Indiana team. The Hoosiers pulled the upset in overtime. Then they fell to Illinois on the road.

A long winning streak led to rock bottom. But finally, Michigan State played their dominating game. They put away Minnesota with no problem. Nick Ward committed just two turnovers and Winston never turned the ball over with nine assists. Matt McQuaid knocked down four three-pointers in that game. Kenny Goins then hit three in their next win over Wisconsin. As long as the Spartans take care of the ball and Winston has another reliable shooter next to him, Michigan State is just as good as anyone.

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