Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from bad loss to Michigan State

Winston solves his Michigan problem

Coming into this game, one storyline was about Winston and his inability to deliver against Michigan basketball and faced with Simpson, his greatest foe, Winston delivered a big-time performance, helping the Spartans beat UM for the first time since in over two years.

While Winston is known for his 3-point shooting, as he makes an average of 2.6 3-point field goals per game, this matchup was all about him getting to the bucket. His penetration was maybe the key difference between the two teams.

Winston got to the free throw line 14 times and made 13 of those attempts. He also was 7-of-13 from the field, which means he was able to finish around the basket and he also finished with eight assists.

Leading up to this one, it was worth asking who the best point guard in the Big Ten is and as good as Simpson has been, Winston proved on Sunday that for now at least, the answer is him. Simpson can change that narrative in a couple of weeks when they meet again but until then, Winston can consider the Michigan basketball monkey off his back.