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Michigan State Basketball: 2019-20 keys to victory over Seton Hall in Gavitt Games

By Austin Walther

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans hugs Cassius Winston #5 during the second half against the Binghamton Bearcats at Breslin Center on November 10, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans hugs Cassius Winston #5 during the second half against the Binghamton Bearcats at Breslin Center on November 10, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Foster Loyer #3 and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after defeating the LSU Tigers in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Foster Loyer #3 and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after defeating the LSU Tigers in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. Young backcourt

We already know that Cassius Winston is one of the best players in the country. He had seven double-doubles last season. He failed to score in double-figures just twice. Even though Matt McQuaid was a starter, he still took some relief off of Winston in distributing the ball. But Michigan State still struggled to find a backup point guard.

Some of the reasons for Winston turning the ball over so much is because he’s out there 33.5 minutes per game. Someone has to emerge off the bench for Tom Izzo. Foster Loyer was a top-100 recruit last season. He played 10 or more minutes seven times. Two of those games came in the Big Ten Tournament. His best game by far came against Ohio State. He dished three assists and scored 14 points in 18 minutes.

Loyer wasn’t trusted enough to get consistent minutes in the NCAA Tournament though. The reflection carried over to the first two games this season. He played just three minutes vs. Kentucky, turned the ball over and committed a foul. Then Izzo played him 11 minutes in the blowout to Binghamton where he recorded two assists. The young man needs a chance to play some meaningful minutes against a good team so he can prove to be a nice backup point guard.

Rocket Watts is my other focus. Like mentioned before, Matt McQuaid is finally gone. Kenny Goins is no longer there either to stretch the defense. Aaron Henry and Kyle Ahrens only combined for 35 three-pointers last season. Mark “Rocket” Watts was a top-40 recruit. He’s listed as a combo guard so I guess he could run the point as well. But since Izzo is starting him, I’m sure he’s expecting Watts to shoot more than pass. Watts is a dreadful one-for-nine from three to start the season. But there’s no time like the present for him to emerge as a knock-down shooter for the Spartans.

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