Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball Recruiting: Early look at each program’s 2019 class

By Justin Thind

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 13: Head coach Tom Izzo, Associate Head Coach Dwayne Stephens and Assistant Coach Dane Fife of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 13: Head coach Tom Izzo, Associate Head Coach Dwayne Stephens and Assistant Coach Dane Fife of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Michigan State Spartans

Despite the injury woes that have hit East Lansing this year, Michigan State still had an amazing season that saw Tom Izzo hang a conference title banner for the second year in a row. In addition to the present success, there is plenty to be excited about in regards to the future as well. As of right now, the Spartans are slated to bring in Malik Hall and Rocket Watts as a part of their 2019 class. Hall, a 6’7″ wing player, will join current freshmen Aaron Henry and Gabe Brown in that young, talented position group. Watts would bring valuable back-court scoring to the Spartans. A combo-guard by designation, he will play off-ball during Cassius Winston’s senior year, but could take over ball-handling duties after that, if need be. The Spartans do have Foster Loyer waiting in the wings at point-guard though. Either way, the future in the back-court and on the wings seems to be secure.

MSU’s front-court needs are an different story though. It’s very possible that Nick Ward is still set on leaving college early. It took a lot of convincing just to get him back for this season as it is, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll be back next year. Additionally, current starting power-forward Kenny Goins will graduate after the season. If Ward does leave, that leaves Xavier Tillman, Marcus Bingham, and Thomas Kithier as the only front-court contributors for next season. Additionally, the Spartans don’t have any big-man commitments in the 2019 class, making it a very big need for Tom Izzo.

The Spartans have only one remaining big-time target in the 2019 class, La Lumiere winger Keion Brooks, after missing out on dire-needs Vernon Carey Jr. and Isaiah Stewart. Even though he is a SF by designation, he could potentially transition into the PF spot with some bulking up and coaching from MSU assistant Dwayne Stephens. Landing him will not be easy though, as Brooks is also really high on the Kentucky Wildcats and Indiana Hoosiers. He will decide on March 16th. If Izzo can somehow land him, it would be great for MSU’s front-court needs.

A recent notable recruiting development is MSU’s interest in 6’8″ 3-star PF Julius Marble. The Spartans just offered him on February 13th, but the fact that Tom Izzo and Dwayne Stephens already flew down to Texas to see him on February 26th should indicate their level of interest in him. Marble is a late-bloomer that can be seen as a bit of a project based on his rankings. This could be perfect for Tom Izzo though, as he has built the program using underrated, tough big men that many may have overlooked. Even if he needs a little time to develop, he could still be a big help in adding much-needed depth to MSU’s thin front-court.

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