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Big Ten Basketball Tournament: Key storylines for Michigan vs. Michigan State

By Jason Kinander

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – MARCH 09: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 75-63 at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – MARCH 09: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 75-63 at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. The Big-Game Performance of Cassius Winston

The 2019 Big 10 Player of the Year, Michigan State junior point guard Cassius Winston has put together a truly incredible season.

Winston is averaging 19 points per game, to go along with 7.5 assists and three rebounds. Winston does it all for the Spartans, and they’ll need that trend to continue on Sunday.

In Saturday’s semifinal game against Wisconsin, Winston came through with a game-leading 21 points and six assists. Winston turned the ball over just twice, facilitating the Spartans offense en route to the Championship game.

Big time players make plays in big games, and Winston has the ability to do that. Against the Wolverines on Sunday, I think it’s a given that Winston will put up big numbers.

The question is how big. Will Winston explode with a career game, adding an exclamation point to a spectacular season?

In the last game against Michigan, Winston scored 23 points and dropped seven assists. Winston’s consistency and well-rounded play, not necessarily his stat-stuffing, has been what has made his season so stellar.

However, the stage is amplified in a championship setting, and for that reason, I think we’ll see a little more out of Winston than a great performance.

I’m going to go out and say that I think we are going to see an incredible game out of Cassius Winston. 30 points and 15 assists isn’t too far-fetched. This is his stage, and if this season has shown anything, it’s that he’ll live up to that.

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