Michigan State Basketball: Preview of Spartans 2020-21 season
By Ryan Kay
Spartans have a very deep bench this season
C – FR Mady Sissoko (Projected 10th Man)
Mady Sissoko is a four-star center ranked as the No. 40 overall recruit and eighth-best center in the class according to 247Sports. Sissoko stands at 6-foot-9 and weighs 225 pounds which will make a strong presence in the paint.
He will look to run the floor in Izzo’s fast-paced transition offense and hopes to make tremendous strides with regards to his mobility throughout the season. He could be a potential dominating force for Michigan State if not this season but next. The sooner he picks up the offense and more importantly if he can create turnovers and rebound the ball on defense, he can play right away for coach Izzo and the Spartans.
With Tillman going pro, Sissoko can step in and start to immediately contribute to the Spartans in various ways. Michigan State has a lot of quality, dependable big men but none are proven starters like how Tillman was last season. Sissoko is the most intriguing player for the Spartans this season and he can surprise many by starting towards the end of the season at the center position.
PF – JR Thomas Kithier (Projected 11th Man)
Kithier last season was given ample playing time and his time on the court has exponentially increased over the past two seasons. He averaged just under thirteen minutes a game last season but his minutes per game will likely decrease this upcoming season.
His main issue has been his inability to score as he scored zero points in eight games last season as well as only scoring in double digits once, even though he knows all of the plays and it appears coach Izzo trusts him on the court at critical times during games.
However, how much will Kithier contribute this season? Could he become the next Goran Suton who played well for Michigan State over a decade ago or will he end up more like former Spartan Adam Ballinger who was dependable and reliable during his time in a Spartan uniform? Only time will tell and Kithier may get the benefit of the doubt from Izzo and his coaching staff but Spartan fans shouldn’t expect a major impact from him this season.
G – FR A.J. Hoggard (Projected 12th Man)
Hoggard had minor surgery recently but should be okay to start the season. In comparison to traditional point guards, he is considered a bigger and strong type of a point guard. At 6’3, he has the ability to back done smaller guards similar to former Spartan great Eric Snow. He has a decisive quickness about him that allows him to drive to the paint and either distribute the ball or make the small range jumper.
Similar to Watts, he is not a traditional spot-up shooter and prefers to get his shot off the dribble. He is not a great 3-point shooter but he is not a liability beyond the arc so defenders have to respect his shot beyond the arc. He is not a great pass-first point guard but he is able to find the open player for the basket.
On defense, he is able to rebound the ball well especially for a point guard. He is not a lockdown defender like Henry but he able gets steals as he has good court vision and anticipates passes fairly well. He is a true freshman and according to 247 Sports, he is ranked No. 74 in the nation prior to arriving in East Lansing. Not a lot will be expected from him but he may surprise a ton of people especially if he is productive in non-conference play.