Saturday’s game with Michigan State wasn’t your ordinary match-up in College Park. ESPN Gameday made a visit as Maryland had the opportunity to clinch their first Big Ten title. The sold out crowd created an electric atmosphere. “We’ve played in a lot of great places but not many better than it was out there tonight,” said Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo.
With all the attention on College Park and the Terps, it was Michigan State’s experience coupled with the growth of their freshmen that was on display in their 78-66 win.
Cassius Winston led the Spartans with 20 points. “We feel like we can play with any team in conference, any team in the country,” said Winston.
Freshman Malik Hall and Rocket Watts had 16 and 13 points respectively. “My two freshmen really played extremely well.”
The Spartans came out determined to delay Maryland’s coronation as they jumped out to a 9-0 lead. Michigan State continued to get the ball in the lane as they pushed the lead up to 17-5 before the Terps somewhat woke up.
A Donta Scott three-pointer capped a 7-0 run drawing the Terps to within 17-12. Jalen Smith’s putback cut it to 19-18 before the Spartans stopped the run.
Michigan State would push the lead back to nine as Cassius Winston hit and a three pointer followed by an Xavier Tillman putback. Winston closed the half in style with a 75 foot shot that gave the Spartans a 40-27. Izzo enjoyed Winston’s shot that closed the half. “Unbelievable 75 foot play we put in last week. That’s coaching fellas.”
The week of the buzzer-beaters continues.
Here, it’s reigning B1G POY Cassius Winston giving No. 24 @MSU_Basketball the double-digit lead at the half. pic.twitter.com/trKucwMYqH
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 1, 2020
Michigan State opened the second half on a 9-4 run pushing their lead to 49-33. By the under 12 timeout, the Spartans had pushed the lead to 61-43.
Scott’s three-pointer cut the lead to 13 but the Spartans responded with a three-pointer by Malik Hall. The Terps would once again get it to 13 on a three point play by Jalen Smith. Aaron Wiggins would follow that with two made free throws and all of a sudden Maryland was within 11 with over eight minutes left.
Michigan State would respond with a 5-0 run courtesy of Rocket Watts. But it was Watts’ defensive effort on Cowan that made the most impression on Winston. “He been talking about that all week (guarding Cowan). Coming into this game, he was locked in.”
4️⃣-point play
Cassius Winston hits the 3, and adds the FT to extend No. 24 @MSU_Basketball‘s lead. pic.twitter.com/hUGWTUrVxO
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 1, 2020
Maryland could never make the game changing run that they’ve been known for this season despite Michigan State going over 3:30 minutes without scoring. During that period, the Spartans also turned the ball over four times.
But the Spartan executed enough to seal the game.
Cassius Winston and his teammates look poised to make their annual March run. “We’ve played some of the best teams in the country. We know what it takes to win games. We know what it takes to play in a hostile environment.
