Michigan State Basketball: Evaluating Spartans heading into 2021 NCAA Tournament
By Ryan Kay
The Spartans need Henry’s teammates to step in the NCAA tournament
Here is a short synopsis of the rest of the players for the Spartans and what they need to do in the NCAA tournament.
Rocket Watts, like Brown, has elevated his overall play during certain games but has not produced a lot on offense in other games. Watts at times throughout this season has been a good and reliable defender but his confidence in his offensive game and his 3-point shooting has been very inconsistent. He at home against Michigan had 21 points and 15 points against Illinois which both resulted in wins for the Spartans.
Earlier in the season, he scored 20 on the road against Duke and 23 at home against Detriot Mercy which also resulted in wins for Michigan State. The problem is he has scored six or fewer points in sixteen games this season. Watts needs to be able to produce on the offensive end in order for the Spartans to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
Joshua Langford, like Hauser, has been a starter for a good portion of the games for the Spartans this season. He missed all of last season and most of the season before due to injury but he has shown leadership and determination this season on the court. He was prior to his injuries a really reliable 3-point shooter, however this season he has struggled at times with his outside shot.
He has always been an undervalued defender but some had thought this season that he might have regained his defensive stature been not playing in games for over a year and a half, it is understandable that he is not a lockdown defender.
His best games this season were when he scored 18 against Nebraska at home and 15 against the Cornhuskers on the road, 15 at Iowa, and 14 each at Indiana and Ohio State. He plays well away from the Spartan’s home court so he will be looked at to help propel Michigan State past UCLA and BYU.
Julius Marble II, like Bingham he has started some games for the Spartans this season and has shown flashes of playing well in particular on the defensive end. His best offensive games were when he scored 12 points in a win on the road against Duke and finished with 10 points on the road in a loss to Purdue. He displayed athleticism for a big man this season and he is a key player in the Spartans advancing past BYU, assuming they defeat UCLA. He has not played 20 or more minutes in a game this season but his post-defense is needed in the NCAA Tournament.
Malik Hall may end up as the x-factor for the Spartans in the tournament. He was a true freshman last season and even though his playing time fluctuates, he has been a contributor for the Spartans this season. He had a good start to the season where he scored 10 points each in wins over Duke and Oakland and in a loss at Northwestern.
His minutes varied during Big Ten play and he had a good all-around game against Penn State when he scored 10 points once again to go with his five rebounds. His offense has improved throughout the season and his confidence continues to grow as witnessed where he scored 19 points in Michigan State’s loss to Maryland in the Big Ten tournament. If Hall can score in double digits in the NCAA tournament, Michigan State can advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the tournament.
Joey Hauser, prior to becoming eligible to play this season after having to sit out last season, was in contention to be a break-out star for Michigan State after off-season encouraging comments by head coach Tom Izzo. Unfortunately, after scoring in double-digits in seven of his first eight-games highlighted by a 27 point performance against Wisconsin, Hauser’s offensive numbers started to decline.
In late January and early February, he bounced back a little bit with 11 points performances against Ohio State, Purdue, and Penn State but he also scored zero points against Nebraska and only four points and six points against Indiana. The hope is to have him get going offensively as he was playing earlier in the season to help aid the Spartans to go on a run in the tournament. He could be counted on to make the key basket to propel the Spartans to victory in the tournament.
Gabe Brown, he like Hauser start off the season scoring and doing well on the offensive side of the ball with the exception of one game. He scored 12 points against Eastern Michigan, 16 points he put up on Detriot Mercy, and 20 points against Oakland. Brown may be the most inconsistent score for the Spartans as he has scored in double digits nine times but also has scored four or fewer points nine times and did not score in a single point in four games.
He has made at four three-pointers in fours games this season, so his three-point shooting is needed in the NCAA tournament. If Brown gets significant playing time against UCLA and BYU, it is a strong indication that Michigan State is playing well.