Michigan State looks for more scoring from freshman Cassius Winston

EAST LANSING – Cassius Winston played only 11 minutes in Michigan State’s loss Sunday at Ohio State. It was his lowest total since playing 10 minutes in a season-opening loss against Arizona.

The freshman point guard understands he needs to continue to improve. And coach Tom Izzo knows Winston remains an integral piece for the Spartans’ success this season.

“I’m still just adjusting,” Winston said. “I’ve made a lot of progress so far, but I still got a lot of progress to make and still a lot of things I got to learn. I got to pick up my energy level and my intensity level to play on this level and be successful.”

Winston shot 0-for-3 against the Buckeyes, and he and Izzo are hoping for a better performance Saturday at Indiana.

Spartan Speak: Previewing the IU game, and the future of MSU's hockey program

Replay: MSU sports chat with Graham Couch

It was the second straight game with one point for Winston. He totaled nine points in his past four games after scoring 15 in a win over Northwestern on Dec. 30.

“One thing he’s struggled a little with is his scoring,” Izzo said. “I think we got a lot of guys not looking for their shots right now. And that isn’t from me — that is their own confidence. … Cassius will get back up there. It was one game when he played 11 minutes. Other than that, he’s been playing 20 minutes a game.”

Scoring never has been an issue for the 6-footer, who is averaging 6.5 points, 44 percent shooting and 20.1 minutes. Winston averaged 19.9 points in four years at U-D Jesuit High, including 21.9 a game as a senior in winning Mr. Basketball.

Couch: Why Michigan State fans should like Kenny Goins

Izzo called Winston “one of my favorite guards of all time already, because I think he has a high basketball IQ.” He’s considering playing Winston at shooting guard, with junior Tum Tum Nairn running the point, to try to generate more shots and help solve some of the Spartans’ issues. Eron Harris and Matt McQuaid have struggled to find a rhythm in Big Ten play.

But Winston realizes that requires more learning and adjusting, on offense and defense, to make it work.

“I like the sound of that, taking more shots,” Winston said. “But still, I got to figure out where I fit my shots, the shots I can take and can’t take and things like that. But I’m going to look to be more aggressive out there and look for my shot a little bit more to help this team out.”

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari . Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android  devices!

Michigan State searching for answers to shooting guards' scoring struggles