Michigan State hold off Bradley 76-65
Cassius Winston scored 26 points and second-seeded Michigan State held off Bradley 76-65 on Thursday in the opening round of the East Region.
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Cassius Winston scored 26 points and second-seeded Michigan State held off Bradley 76-65 on Thursday in the opening round of the East Region.
The Spartans need to focus on surviving the first weekend this time around. It has been four years since Michigan State (28-6) made it to the Sweet Sixteen, the longest such drought of the Izzo era.
Smitty explains what makes Tom Izzo a great coach and why Cassius Winston is such a special player.
Michigan State forward Kyle Ahrens injured his left ankle and was taken off the court on a stretcher Sunday, and his status was uncertain as the No. 6 Spartans headed to the NCAA Tournament.
Matt McQuaid scored a career-high 27 points, Cassius Winston converted the go-ahead layup in the closing minute, and No. 6 Michigan State rallied to beat No. 10 Michigan 65-60 for its sixth Big Ten Tournament championship on Sunday.
Watch Michigan-Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Game, Sunday at 3:30pm on CBS62.
With their sights set on a sixth conference tournament title and a deep NCAA run, the Spartans (26-6) pulled away in the second half for their third win over the Buckeyes (19-14) this season. They will meet the Nebraska-Wisconsin winner in the semifinals on Saturday.
While it might not land a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Big Ten was arguably the nation's top conference during the regular season.
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Winston is the second Michigan State player in four years named AP's Big Ten player of the year, joining Denzel Valentine in 2016.
Cassius Winston struggled to make shots for more than a half and his rivals took advantage, controlling a game with a share of the Big Ten title at stake.
No. 7 Michigan (26-4, 15-4) at No. 9 Michigan State (24-6, 15-4), Saturday night. The winner clinches at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season championship and will own it outright if Purdue (22-8, 15-4) is upset by last-place Northwestern on Saturday afternoon.
Smith scored a career-high 24 points, helping the Hoosiers beat the sixth-ranked Spartans 63-62 on Saturday.
"I never thought he could become what he is becoming," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "And, I still think he still has a big ceiling of where he can get. He has changed his body a lot."
