Michigan State Basketball: Takeaways from impressive road win over Maryland

The Pick’N’Roll

The pick’n’roll that was continually executed by senior point guard Cassius Winston and junior forward Xavier Tillman is not only the best in the Big Ten but arguably the most effective in college basketball. Four of Winston’s six assists were delivered to Tillman for points in the paint whenever Maryland would hedge on the screen to prevent Winston (20 points) from an open look at the basket.

When the Terrapins would ‘switch and help’ from the weakside, Tillman who scored 14 points was able to pass to an open teammate in the corner to account for his six assists on the night. The effectiveness of the combination was glaringly noticeable when Thomas Kithier subbed in for Tillman and the pick’n’roll became virtually useless and Winston was reduced to breaking his defender off the dribble to draw the help.

Whereas nobody expects Kithier to be as effective as Tillman, it provides evidence that Michigan Sate’s success might be a product of talent, not necessarily of the system. While it is important to acknowledge the success of the pick’n’roll, it also must be noted of the dependency upon it that can develop.

Maryland’s inability to go to a ‘small ball’ lineup was definitely a factor in the success Michigan State had tonight, a factor that may not continue to be present among other opponents.