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NCAA Basketball: 5 biggest takeaways from 2019 Champions Classic

By Brian Rauf

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 01: Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against the Kentucky State Thorobreds at Rupp Arena on November 01, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 01: Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against the Kentucky State Thorobreds at Rupp Arena on November 01, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 06: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 06: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

3) Michigan State has Cassius Winston…and not much else

The preseason No. 1 team in the country struggled in the opener. Well, most of the roster did.

Preseason National Player of the Year Cassius Winston looked every bit the part during his 21-point, four-assist performance, but he failed to get anything resembling help from his teammates.

No other starter made more than one field goal through the first 30 minutes, no one else scored in double figures and everyone other and Winston combined to shoot just 38.6 percent from the field, including only 4/19 three-point attempts.

The biggest impact was felt outside the box score, however. It felt like all of Michigan State’s best chances came off of plays Winston created. That’s good – the Spartans rely heavily on him to make those kind of plays – but they didn’t get them from anyone else.

Now, Michigan State is dealing with Joshua Langford’s foot injury. He may return in January, or it might keep him out for the rest of the year. Langford was going to be that No. 2 scoring option for the Spartans and no one has stepped up in his absence.

Tom Izzo has the talent to fill that role – Aaron Henry seems like the most likely candidate – but that would come with a few more months of development. It was very clear Tuesday night that Winston is going to have to carry the Spartans offensively.

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