Eye-opening graphic reveals why Michigan State basketball has struggled
This eye-opening graphic posted on Twitter reveals why Michigan State basketball has struggled mightily this season.
We all know what has happened from last year’s Michigan State basketball team to this year. While the Spartans have added one of the best recruiting classes under Tom Izzo, the losses due to transfers, early departures, graduation and injuries have been immense.
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Just check out the graphic below which points out all of the injuries, transfers and departures from Michigan State basketball over the past year.
@MSU_Basketball players lost to graduation, NBA, transfer and injury since last season. (Not in photo but also lost: Ben Carter) pic.twitter.com/HVedvn6T60
— Gillian Van Stratt (@van_stratt) February 19, 2017
Deyonta Davis, Marvin Clark Jr., Gavin Schilling, Bryn Forbes, Denzel Valentine, Matt Costello, Colby Wollenman, Eron Harris, Javon Bess and (not pictured) Ben Carter. That’s nine players from last year’s team that went 29-6 and was eliminated in the first round and 10 guys overall.
How can you rebounding from losing that much talent? You might say, “Well, this is Tom Izzo’s best recruiting class ever, so why aren’t they making up for the losses?”
The answer to that? Four freshmen can’t make up for two NBA draft picks, three players currently on NBA rosters, the third-leading scorer and injuries to two big men who were likely to start this season. It’s been a rough year for Michigan State.
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This isn’t an attempt to make excuses, but it’s rather to show why this team isn’t playing very well just one year removed from 29-6 and adding a top-three recruiting class. When the biggest guy on the roster (healthy) is 6-foot-8 freshman Nick Ward, there’s going to be issues.