Final Four 2019: Sleeper impact player from each team
By Jacob Lane
Michigan State – Kenny Goins – Forward
- 8.1 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.3 apg
When you think of Michigan State, you can probably name numerous “unsung” players over the years who have come up huge in big tournament games ultimately helping them advance deep into the tournament. Names like Bryn Forbes, Branden Dawson, Travis Trice, Delvon Roe, and plenty of others come to mind.
You can probably go ahead and add the senior big man and walk-on Kenny Goins to that list as well. Heading into a game where the Spartans will be forced to go up against the top defense in the country in Texas Tech, made shots could be hard to buy, which means cleaning up around the glass and defending the paint on the opposite end will be crucial.
Goins specializes in doing the dirty work for the Spartans. Whether that’s rebounding, diving on the floor for 50/50 balls, blocking shots, or even stepping out and hitting a needed three, Goins will and can do it all. This season Goins has 16 games with 10 or more rebounds, and two games of 15 or more, while also putting together five double-doubles. He’s also shown the ability to protect the rim, even at 6-foot-7 totaling 15 games with two or more blocked shots.
Going up against Tariq Owens, a shot-blocking force, and Norense Odiase, Goins will have to fight and battle for everything and there should be no doubt that he’ll be capable of doing just that. Having already hit the shot of his life against Duke, one that ultimately helped them advance to the Final Four, Goins could be ready to make another big play at an opportune time for the Spartans, helping them advance to the National Championship.