NCAA Basketball: Best games from 2019-20 season – Michigan State vs. Seton Hall

Michigan State and Seton Hall gave us an early-season thriller in New Jersey; let’s relive what happened back in their November meeting.

This past season, the national pandemic greatly limited the postseason, robbing the entire nation of what likely would have been a thrilling NCAA Tournament. The regular season had fantastic moments and matchups, as great players made their mark in the opportunities that they got. Next up in our top 40 games of the 2019-20 season is a huge early matchup between two highly rated teams; a matchup we might have seen again had the postseason taken place.

8. #3 Michigan State 76, #12 Seton Hall 73 (Gavitt Tipoff Games)

November 14, 2019, Prudential Center in Newark, NJ

There are storylines each season that stand out, whether they be from great performances, unexpected upsets, or something similarly unexpected. Even without much postseason play, this past season gave us plenty of memorable storylines, many of whom we’ve touched on in this series (with a few big ones yet to come). But when two top teams led by two of the best players in the entire nation met up in the second week of the season, it was about more than just a game.

Michigan State’s best player was undoubtedly Cassius Winston, and they would clearly need big play from Winston going forward. After losing the previous week to a talented Kentucky team in New York, this was the kind of game to get the Spartans back on track. However, they played this game with a heavy heart, as Winston’s brother died earlier that week. Their leader was hurting and it was going to take a combined effort to play, let alone win this game.

Seton Hall also had one of the best players in the nation in Myles Powell. The Pirates had secured wins in their first two games, both at home against mid-majors, meaning this date with the Spartans was their first true test of the season. Big things were expected for Seton Hall with Powell back for his final season, and the senior guard delivered in a major way on a regular basis.

Michigan State got things going offensively, with Winston’s 3-pointer part of a 5-0 spurt to start the game. Seton Hall got on the board quickly thereafter, but a Thomas Kithier 3-pointer continued the Spartan’s quick offensive start. Before too long, the Pirates had the answer from none other than Powell, who hit three free throws after being fouled from long range.

The game was an exciting back and forth affair, and the lead swapped hands several times the next few minutes. Michigan State hit consecutive 3-pointers only for Powell or another Pirate to come up clutch a few moments later. The Spartans lead was 7 again later in the first half, though Powell quickly erased it with a dynamic 5-point spurt.

A 3-pointer from Rocket Watts gave Michigan State a halftime lead of 30-27, but there were plenty more offensive fireworks to come in the final twenty minutes. The lead changed hands three times right off the bat, with a Myles Cale 3-pointer for the Pirates and a number of nice shots from Winston. The two highly-ranked foes went back and forth, with smart offensive basketball throughout the second half.

The lead changed hands time after time as we reached the final stages of the game. Winston’s 3-pointer with five minutes left extended the Spartans’ advantage to four, but it was very eradicated. Sandro Mamukelashvili hit a 3-pointer, while Powell hit a pair of long-range shots on the next two possessions. Michigan State answered with a pair of clutch shots of their own, with Winston’s shot giving the Spartans the lead with just over a minute left.

Powell connected on a pair of free throws twenty seconds later, putting Seton Hall in front again. On the ensuing possession, it was Malik Hall who hit the shot that gave Michigan State the lead for good. They’d add on later with a pair of Winston free throws, though Powell and the Pirates couldn’t quite tie the game up on the final possession.

Winston had 21 points and five assists and led his Spartans to a phenomenal road victory, all with that heavy heart. Hall’s layup got the job done in the final moments, and the Spartans needed his 17 points off the bench. For Seton Hall, Powell had 37 points in a fantastic performance, but his Pirates just didn’t have the answer at the very end, losing an absolute thriller.

Michigan State won this phenomenal game and would eventually tie for the Big Ten regular-season title. They weren’t a crisp, elite team all season long, but did win four straight games over ranked Big Ten foes to end their season. They would have done some damage in the postseason and were truly coming to form as the calendar hit March.

Powell remained a star for a Seton Hall team that spent much of the season in the top 25 and was certainly a formidable foe. The Pirates tied for the Big East regular-season crown and were set up well to succeed in March as well, even if they had lost their last two challenging games of the season.

The bottom line is that this was one of the most thrilling games of the entire season, even before considering Winston playing after his brother’s death and the incredible performance from Powell. We’re very fortunate to have seen this game and this elite matchup, as we were all robbed of Winston and Powell having their last shot at NCAA Tournament glory.