Busting Brackets
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NCAA Tournament 2019: Top takeaways from 1st half of Round of 32 games

By Brian Rauf

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers goes up for a shot against Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers goes up for a shot against Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Dupree McBrayer #1 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Dupree McBrayer #1 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

6) Everyone stand up for Cassius Winston

It would have been easy for Michigan State to fold this season given the rash of injuries they’ve suffered. Instead, they’ve kept fighting and are on their way to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015 thanks to the play of Cassius Winston.

The junior has provided the kind of on-court leadership that has kept this group together and raised his game to a Big Ten Player of the Year level.

The best player on the court in most games Michigan State plays, Winston singlehandedly controlled the Spartans’ 70-50 win over Minnesota with 13 points and nine assists.

How far can Winston carry this team? That remains to be seen. We’ve seen players like him carry their teams on long tournament runs (Kemba Walker and Shabazz Napier immediately come to mind) and he certainly has the capability to do that.

However, this season can already be considered a success. They’re missing the second best player in Joshua Langford and their best role player in Kyle Ahrens, yet still found their way into the Sweet 16 thanks to Winston’s play and leadership.

This run may last until the Final Four or may end Friday night against LSU, but no matter what happens, we should take some time to appreciate what Winston has done for this team.

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