The 6 foot, 1 inch Detroit native brought a different energy to the court Sunday afternoon that went beyond his career-high 32 points. Winston looked electric, like he was back at home on the court, smiling after his big shots, motivating his teammates and bringing the Breslin crowd to a level he had never heard before. 

“Today was rocking,” Winston said. "That’s probably one of the loudest I think it’s been since I’ve been here, honestly. We were playing together, we were getting big plays, we were making stops, all type of big stuff. It was a fun game to be out there.”

The 2019 Big Ten Player of the Year surpassed Denzel Valentine for the 11th spot in game-high points in MSU history with his Sunday afternoon performance. But what stood out more to Izzo is the unselfishness of Winston’s personality, despite putting on a performance like he did.

“Sometimes superstars, you don’t appreciate them because they are selfish, but I have the most unselfish superstar maybe ever,” the 25-year head coach said. “A guy that can score that many points and still be as unselfish as he is, that make it easier on the coaches and easier on the players. They pull for him because they love him and they appreciate him, not just because he’s the best player."

Winston’s performance led the team to a win that boosted the green and white to No. 8 in the AP poll. The ranking is up six spots from the Spartans' previous standing and puts them in the top ten for the first time since week four.

Sophomore forward Aaron Henry found it hard to find words to explain Winston’s 32 point and 9 assist game against the team’s biggest rival.

“I don’t know what to call that one, that was different, very different,” the Indianapolis native said. “Just watching him do the things he does, you watch him get to the basket or watch him shoot his shot, and then you get back on defense and think ‘Oh my god he just did that. That’s crazy.’”

Izzo said he saw a more aggressive and focused Winston on Sunday, something the point guard has struggled to regain after the death of his brother Zachary in November made it hard to navigate life, let alone the basketball court.

“I don’t think any of us will ever be able to appreciate what that kid has gone through and how he’s handled it,” Izzo said, also commenting on Winston’s leadership throughout the matchup Sunday. “I just felt like his orchestration in those huddles was something that is a coach’s dream.”

With the leadership from Winston they desperately needed, the Spartans look to continue an undefeated in-conference season with their next matchup against Minnesota Jan. 9.