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Michigan State Basketall: Key rotation players entering 2019-20 season

By Ryan Kay

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) /
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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) /

Michigan State Basketball returns several players from this past season’s Final Four run. Does this roster have the look of a title team?

Cassius Winston along with the supporting cast for the Spartans look to the 2019-2020 season as a national championship or bust. They have won back to back Big Ten regular season titles, a Big Ten Tournament title, and a Final Four berth in the NCAA tournament this past season. Michigan State Basketball will have what it takes to capture a national championship. However, until that final buzzer is heard in Atlanta at next year’s Final Four, time will tell if the Spartans will be crowned national champions. Here is a look at the roster breakdown for the 2019-2020 Michigan State Spartans.

Starters

Name: Cassius Winston

Year: 4th Year Senior

Position: Point Guard

Projected Starter

There can be an argument made that with Winston staying in East Lansing for his senior year, he could be the top contender for national player of the year. Many would say that Winston has not be 100% healthy the last six weeks of the season. He also was forced to play a ton of minutes due to there not being a viable backup and he will not have that same issue next season if he returns.

The general consensus is that with him returning for his senior season Michigan State will be the consensus preseason #1 entering next season. His leadership, his ability to make those around him better, and he arguably being the best point guard at Michigan State since Magic Johnson, raises expectations of a national champions for next season for the Spartans.

Name: Aaron Henry

Year: Sophomore

Position: Small Forward

Projected Starter

As a true freshmen this season Henry progressed very well and had a great second half to the season. He was put into the starting lineup due to the season ending injury to Joshua Langford. Henry’s defense was superb for most of the season and he displayed much athleticism on both ends of the floor. He had moments of great offensive production as he showed during the Spartans Sweet Sixteen victory over LSU. There were even some that he may declare for the NBA draft but has indicated that he will be back in a Spartans uniform next season.

He could easily be the fourth best player on Michigan State’s team next season which shows that he has exceeded expectations as he was not a highly rated high school recruit. If he progresses and improves his offense, he could be at minimum a 2nd team All-Big Ten selection next year. He will be a key part in Michigan State’s plan to win a national title in 2020.

Name: Xavier Tillman

Year: Junior

Position: Power Forward

Projected Starter

Tillman became a full-time starter when Nick Ward was injured during the home game against Ohio State. The most impressive thing Tillman did this season was when he displayed his athleticism during on ball screens where he did an excellent job on switching and defending guards on the perimeter. He anchored the back-end of the defense and showed leadership skills even as a sophomore. Offensively, he has been steady and productive. He also has shown flashes of making shots outside of the paint.

Name: Joshua Langford

Year: Senior

Position: Shooting Guard

Projected Starter

People forget how productive Langford was prior to getting injured. Technically, he ended up being the second leading scorer for the Spartans this past season. The expectation is that he will begin resuming basketball workouts in June and be near 100% by the time August come in order to fully participate in all basketball related workouts. The hope is that he will be back to full strength once official basketball camp begins prior to the start of the season.

The goal is for him to develop into a Rip Hamilton type of player that he can play to his strengths of coming off of ball screens and making those mid-range jumpers as well as be a consistent three-point threat. Winston and Langford can arguably be the best backcourt in the Big Ten but this is assuming Langford shows no ill effects of his injury entering the upcoming season.

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