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Michigan State Basketball: 10 bold predictions for 2016-17 season

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 7, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo watches his team warm up before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo watches his team warm up before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Matt McQuaid (20) defends Eastern Michigan Eagles guard Ty Toney (32) during the 2nd half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Matt McQuaid (20) defends Eastern Michigan Eagles guard Ty Toney (32) during the 2nd half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Matt McQuaid breaks out

Watching Matt McQuaid in the first few games, especially against Kansas, of last season provided some excitement. Sure, he was just a freshman, but a deadly sharpshooter was developing before our very eyes.

The baby-faced assassin, as he has since been dubbed, averaged 15.8 minutes per game as a true freshman, which is probably more than many had expected, especially with Denzel Valentine and Bryn Forbes eating up most of the minutes at the guard positions.

McQuaid may have averaged just 3.5 points and 1.6 assists per game, but he had a nice three-point shot, making 40 percent of his long-balls, and didn’t turn the ball over much. Despite having an elite freshman class with two guards coming in — Cassius Winston and Josh Langford — McQuaid’s minutes will likely increase drastically.

In fact, he started both of the exhibition games and will probably start a majority of regular season contests. He has earned the trust of Izzo and that’s a big deal for Spartans looking to break out.

I’m not saying he’s going to average 15 points per game, but he will definitely see his 3.5-point, 1.6-assist averages increase tremendously.

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