Michigan State Basketball: 3 reasons why Spartans will win 2021 Big Ten title

Strongest starting lineup in the Big Ten

Let’s preview what Michigan State’s starting lineup could look like, and is expected to be when they kick off the season:

PG: Rocket Watts

SG: Gabe Brown/Joshua Langford

SF: Aaron Henry

PF: Joey Hauser

C: Marcus Bingham Jr.

The center position is an open competition, but Bingham is the most experienced in that group and Izzo still has faith in him, so it’s likely he’ll at least start the season at that position. Marquette transfer Joey Hauser is a name MSU fans should be excited about. Izzo is, and for good reason.

Hauser is a deadly shooter, as well as being able to score on the inside. He can rebound and pass it well, too. Hauser is going to be a big-time player for the Spartans. Expect him to be one of their top scorers.

Rocket Watts is expected to make a big jump in scoring after a strong conclusion to his freshman season as well. He ended the year with two 21-point games as well as a 19 point performance in the season finale against Ohio State. Watts is an effortless scorer with a solid defensive game.

The biggest question will be his ability to run the offense, which he’s shown flashes of being a good distributor in a small sample size. Jack-of-all-trades forward Aaron Henry is back after testing NBA waters, and if he can find some consistency shooting the basketball, it will do wonders for his confidence and he’ll be one of the best players in the Big Ten.

The biggest question mark is the health of senior guard Joshua Langford. He hasn’t played since December of 2018 after suffering two major foot injuries. Langford says he’s “1000%” healthy, but the medical staff is obviously going to be cautious with him. If he can get back to playing like he was in 2018, MSU is going to be one of the toughest teams in the country. Langford is a consistent tough shot maker, as well as being reliable from 3 and a pesky defender.