It wasn’t the prettiest 20-point win for Michigan State but they’ll take it if it meant a trip to the Sweet 16.
Saturday night, the Spartans manhandled their Big Ten counterparts Minnesota by way of a 70-50 win for their first trip back to the Sweet 16 since 2015.
Michigan State was led by Xavier Tillman‘s 14 points and Cassius Winston who put the team on his back in the second half after the Gophers got to within nine.
This was all despite Michigan State turning the ball over 22 times throughout the 40 minutes something the Gophers never really could capitalize on.
THE DIFFERENCE
The Spartans did an excellence job forcing a three-point inept team like Minnesota to the perimeter early and often which led to the Gophers finishing the game just 2-of-19 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile Minnesota didn’t have an answer for Michigan State in the paint as well as the Spartans out rebounded the Gophers 45-19.
UP NEXT
Next up for Michigan State is the third ranked LSU Tigers who beat Maryland in the final seconds thanks to a Tremont Waters layup. This game will take place in Washington DC next Friday.