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Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Adam Childs

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Big Ten logo on the floor before the Big Ten Men's Basketball Final against the Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines at the Verizon Center on March 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Wolverines won 71-56. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Big Ten logo on the floor before the Big Ten Men's Basketball Final against the Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines at the Verizon Center on March 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Wolverines won 71-56. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – MARCH 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – MARCH 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

. Spartans . 3. team. 486. .

How do you replace an all-time great point guard for your school? You start with a very talented sophomore who showed last year he could be up for the challenge. How well Rocket Watts plays for the Spartans will go a long way in deciding how good they will be.

The Spartans have had the luxury of having Cassius Winston for the last four years and he is going to be dearly missed. He not only ran the offense, but he also was a big-time scorer for Michigan State. They won’t be able to fully replace him, but Watts is still a very good player.

Another big question for the Spartans is if Joshua Langford will be able to make an impact. Langford has missed most of the last two seasons, but before that was one of the best players in the conference. It will be tough to reach that level of play again but if they even get part of that it will be a huge boost and will make them a legitimate threat to win the league yet again.

Joey Hauser will also be eligible this year after sitting a year when he transferred from Marquette. Hauser was a stud freshman for the Golden Eagles, averaging just under 10 points a game and will be a huge addition for Michigan State.

The Spartans also return Aaron Henry who flirted with the NBA draft before deciding to return to East Lansing. He will anchor the frontcourt for the Spartans and is an elite defender. Incoming freshman Mady Sissoko should provide depth Michigan State and could see some big minutes.

The Spartans will have some freshman that play, but will again rely on returning players to fuel this team. It is a formula that has worked well for Tom Izzo during his time at MSU and one he will ride again this year.

We may have them ranked a few spots down to start the season, but over a full year expect the Spartans to be at our near the top yet again.

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