Big Ten Basketball: Top 5 rising juniors for 2018-19

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts during the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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2. Cassius Winston, Michigan State

Michigan State Spartans guard Cassius Winston flirted with moving onto the NBA but ultimately returned for his junior season. Winston put up 12.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds through 35 appearances for the Spartans in 2017-18. He leads a team that went 16-2 in conference play last season.

The 2017-18 Big Ten leader in assists (241) and assists per game did work for Michigan State as they finished with a 30-5 record. Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. are gone from the frontcourt but it’s next man up as they look to return to another NCAA Tournament.

With Winston leading the way, his experience will come in handy if they ever hit any scoring droughts during games. Then there’s an incoming class of five freshmen and suddenly, the Spartans look like a Big Ten title contender. Joshua Langford and Nick Ward’s profiles will rise as Winston’s does, look for the trio to make waves in 2018-19 coming off a 30-win season.

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