Busting Brackets
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: 2018-19 season overview for Spartans

By Ryan Kay

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5, Foster Loyer #3, Xavier Tillman #23 and Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate from the bench against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5, Foster Loyer #3, Xavier Tillman #23 and Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate from the bench against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with his team during the second half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with his team during the second half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Was this season a success for Michigan State?

The main reason to mark this season as a success it that the Spartans exceeded preseason expectations and overcame a slew of injuries to accomplish many of their goals. It needs to be noted that Michigan State lost two NBA lottery players in Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr.  The Spartans at times went 11 deep last season with seniors Gavin Schillling, “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr., and Ben Carter.

By the end of this season, only Gabe Brown and Nick Ward saw any significant minutes off of the bench with Izzo only going seven deep. This season’s teams accomplished more with less talent and depth than last season’s Spartan team. Michigan State ended a four-year Final Four drought as well as ending a three-year dry spell of winning the Big Ten Conference Tournament.

This season should also be valued and viewed as successful because Michigan State saw players step up and improve throughout the season and the player development shows signs of hope of winning a national title next season.

Aaron Henry and Xavier Tillman improved so much that they had to publicly state that they were coming back for next season and not test the waters of the NBA. Cassius Winston played so well that he more than likely will be the front-runner for national player of the year.

Next. Way-too-early mid-major top 25 for 2019-20. dark

Even though seniors Kenny Goins and Matt McQuaid will be missed next season, their impact and play during this season should not be forgotten. The Spartans should be proud of what they accomplished this season and look back on their accomplishments the achieved with much pride.

Home/Michigan State Spartans