Busting Brackets
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: Cassius Winston’s return makes Spartans No. 1 for 2019-20

By Ryan Kay

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Cassius Winston announcing that he will be back for his senior season solidifies Michigan State Basketball’s case to be named pre-season #1 entering the 2019-2020 season.

Even though Michigan State Basketball will not have Kenny Goins, Matt McQuaid, and Nick Ward next season, the Spartans not only brings back experienced players but they will be talented, have more depth, be healthier, and have arguably the most valuable player in college basketball in Cassius Winston.

Winston as a senior is extremely valuable in more ways than one. Joshua Langford coming off of a season ending injury will as a senior will make the Spartan backcourt one of the best in the nation. The emergence of sophomore Aaron Henry will allow Michigan State’s transition game to be even better than it was last season. Add the versatile and improving Xavier Tillman and those four starters for the Spartans will help them in their quest for a national title next season.

Besides the four players already mentioned, Michigan State will have more depth next season. Senior Kyle Ahrens who dealt will injuries throughout the season comes back and may be the next Goins or McQuaid in terms of a senior stepping up his game.

Sophomore Gabe Brown shown signs of taking his game to the next level especially witnessed in the NCAA tournament game against LSU. Sophomore big man Marcus Bingham Jr. has tremendous upside and more will be asked of him with the departure of Ward and fellow sophomore Thomas Kithier will provide depth in the Spartan front court.

Home/Michigan State Spartans