Michigan State Basketball: 6 key aspects of possible national 2020 title run

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 25: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans late in the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Breslin Center on February 25, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 26: Gabe Brown #44 of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

3-Point Shooting

Once upon a time, a team could win it all in college basketball without relying on 3-point shooting.

Times have changed.

Five of the last seven Final Four Most Outstanding Players made at least four 3-pointers in the national title game: Virginia’s Kyle Guy, Villanova’s Donte DiVincenzo, North Carolina’s Joel Berry, UConn’s Shabazz Napier and Louisville’s Luke Hancock.

Ten of the last 16 champions ranked in the top 20 nationally in either 3-pointers made or 3-point percentage during the season. Five of those champs were in the top 20 in both categories.

Michigan State ranks far outside the top 20 in the main 3-point shooting categories this season — they’re 135th in makes and 79th in percentage through Sunday’s schedule — but they do have their share of shooters that can make a difference for a championship run.

Winston is by far the Spartans’ top long-range threat. He’s hitting 42.5 percent of his 3-pointers and has 68 makes, both leading the Big Ten. During MSU’s current three-game win streak, Winston is shooting 80.0 percent beyond the arc (12-of-15).

Sophomore forward Gabe Brown is a prolific shooter when given the opportunity. He’s second on the team in 3-point makes (31) and shoots a respectable 35.2 percent. But after hitting 5-of-8 beyond the arc in the Nebraska win, Brown barely got off the bench against Iowa and Maryland.

Senior guard Kyle Ahrens (41.5 percent on 3-pointers) is an effective outlet option, the guy who gets open looks when the defense collapses on one of Michigan State’s playmakers. Ahrens made four out of six 3-pointers against Nebraska, scoring a season-high 14 points.

Freshman guard Rocket Watts doesn’t shoot a good percentage (27.7 from deep), but he’s had enough good shooting games to keeps defenses honest. He’s second on the team to Winston in 3-point attempts.

While the Spartans aren’t great beyond the arc, they are great at defending the 3-pointer. They rank No. 7 in the nation in that category, allowing opponents to shoot just 28.4 percent from 3-point range.

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