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Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2019-2020 season

By Austin Walther

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) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 17: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans addresses the crowd after beating the Michigan Wolverines 65-60 in the championship game of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 17: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans addresses the crowd after beating the Michigan Wolverines 65-60 in the championship game of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1) Michigan State Spartans

We just learned that Nick Ward is an NBA draft early entrant. For the longest time after the final four, we hadn’t heard Ward’s name. Michigan State was holding its breath, but it finally came a few days ago. Ward also hired an agent, which doesn’t mean he’s gone, gone, but he seems pretty serious. I guess after sustaining a bad hand injury, he doesn’t want to stay in college any longer and just go start his career.

Obviously Michigan State was securely the number one team in the Big Ten and probably country if Ward had stayed. But they got terrific news that Cassius Winston is returning. Some still believe they’re the best in the country and with a lot of guys at least testing the NBA draft waters, Sparty is still number one here too. Winston is the reigning Big Ten Player of the year and easily could be the best point guard in the NCAA with Ja Morant gone.

Winston racked up the awards last year in the Big Ten, country and NCAA Tournament, averaging 18.8 points per game, 7.5 assists, three boards and 84 three-pointers. The Spartans though could have one of the best back courts in the country. Joshua Langford returns and shouldn’t miss much time if any at all.

All but three are back from the rotation. Matt McQuaid is finally gone and Kenny Goins graduated after having the best season of his career. With all the injuries this past season, Michigan State created a lot of depth. Langford played just 13 games, Kyle Ahrens missed nine games and Ward was out five with a hand injury. Foster Loyer came in and played great backup point guard down the stretch. Aaron Henry was the most impressive freshman and he wasn’t even a top-100 recruit.

Next. Early top-25 preseason power rankings for 2019-20. dark

The Spartans had two top-100 recruits this past season that still have a lot of potential to be great after a full season in East Lansing. The Spartans will get a top-50 combo guard recruit in Rocket Watts and also a six-foot-seven four-star power forward, Malik Hill. It’s worth mentioning the three-star power forward Julius Marble because that’s exactly what Henry was last year. There’s a ton of talent returning to Michigan State which also includes a phenomenal point guard which is why they’re the obvious decision to be ranked number one.

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