East Lansing — As Cassius Winston’s junior season was about to begin, it was clear he was going to play plenty of minutes for Michigan State, probably more than he had his first two seasons.
With a true freshman — Foster Loyer — as the point guard’s primary backup, the Spartans decided early in the season to use senior shooting guard Matt McQuaid to help give Winston a break. But with McQuaid also starting, those breaks would be short.
That physical demand is one thing, and it’s something Winston spent the offseason preparing for. The mental fatigue — knowing how vital you are to the team and playing with the thought you simply can’t be on the bench — can be just as taxing.