Watch Cassius Winston kiss the Spartan logo at midcourt, leaving the game for the final time at Breslin Center in MSU's win over OSU, March 8, 2020. Detroit Free Press
Editor's note: This column by late Free Press columnist Drew Sharp published April 4, 2000, after the Michigan State basketball team won the 2000 NCAA tournament.
INDIANAPOLIS — For five frightening minutes, it looked like Michigan State basketball would have to end the season the way it began -- without its leader.
The Spartans all saw the tears in Mateen Cleaves' eyes and the anguish on his face as he writhed on the floor after his right ankle rolled underneath him.