Duke is done, the Zion show is probably curtains and the Michigan State Spartans are moving onto the Final Four!
Sunday, MSU became the fourth and final team to punch their ticket to Minneapolis with a 68-67 win over the Blue Devils in what’s already and instant classic.
Cassius Winston led the way for the Spartans with 20 points and 10 assists while Xavier Tillman added 19 points and nine rebounds in the win. Michigan State now heads to their eighth Final Four in the Tom Izzo era.
The Difference
It’s hard to pinpoint one difference maker in this game since this win for the Spartans was really a complete and total team effort. To start, the Spartans’ best player Cassius Winston certainly showed up in the win. Izzo did a fantastic job navigating Xavier Tillman’s foul trouble given he was responsible for guarding Zion Williamson the entire game. Kenny Goins was clutch from deep, especially with what turned out to be a dagger three in the in the final minute of the game. Finally collectively the Spartans an amazing job containing Duke in transition.
And not to take anything away from this win for Michigan State because at this point you take a win any way you can get it. But you have to ask yourself what the hell Coach K was thinking with essentially going with R.J. Barrett with the game on the line instead of Zion who undoubtedly is the best player in college basketball?
Via Deadspin:
And yet, Coach K went with RJ: a player whose 21 points came at the cost of seven ugly turnovers. In Duke’s final two possessions, it was Barrett who was in charge of getting the bucket, and it was Barrett who choked the opportunity away. In his first opportunity, he hoisted up a shot while being about three feet behind the three-point line with nine seconds left in the shot clock. The ball hit the front of the rim, and the Blue Devils were only able to keep possession because of some fortunate bouncing.
Duke was essentially trying to get away with the same shit that beat UCF only this time the Blue Devils weren’t so lucky. Then to add to Duke’s misery and Michigan State’s delight, it was Barrett who was in charge of guarding Winston at the end of the game who dribbled out the clock all the way to Minneapolis.
What’s Next for Michigan State?
Next up for the Spartans is Texas Tech in the Final Four. The Red Raiders did a little No. 1 ousting themselves when they took down Gonzaga in the Elite Eight. Texas Tech who has the No. 1 defense in the Country were also responsible for eliminating Michigan in the Sweet 16.
