Michigan State Basketball: Signs to observe while eyeing the future

Michigan State basketball has a bright future, but what signs should we be paying close attention to moving forward?

Conversation surrounding Michigan State basketball now focuses on the team’s quest for this season’s conference and national championships, so some may say that should be the end-all topic of Spartan discussion.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for November

But the future is an ever-present topic, evidenced by coaches traveling nationwide to watch 2019 sophomore recruits.

There are several indicators to observe throughout this season that can influence the next season and beyond.

Will Xavier Tillman show promise?

Following this season, Miles Bridges will enter the NBA Draft. Jaren Jackson and Nick Ward will likely follow. And big men Gavin Schilling and Ben Carter will graduate.

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Forget Xavier Tillman’s stats this season. As a less essential forward on a deep front court, Tillman’s freshman averages are obsolete. During his limited playing time, however, can Tillman show promise of who he can become? After the team’s front-court decline next offseason, he will abruptly become indispensable for 2018-19.

Can Tillman show skilled footwork and post moves? Can he play sound post defense and rebound effectively? If he cleared out his defender and converted a baby hook, the game will be a success for him, even if he only played a few minutes.

Michigan State’s success will not hinge on Tillman this season, but it could soon.

Can Joshua Langford and Matt McQuaid make a bucket?

The possibility of Joshua Langford becoming a professional next year seems doubtful, so Michigan State will likely start him and Matt McQuaid next season.

Langford can be an effective shooter. He made 41.6 percent of his three-point attempts last season and shot proficiently across the court throughout his high school career. And though high school is long past and was comprised of inferior opponents, his high school stardom is still why expectations of him are so high. He has showed promise going to the basket in the team’s first two games, but has made just 1/6 three-point attempts and shot even worse during exhibition. Langford needs to find his stroke for the team to excel this season and to prepare to star next season when his role skyrockets.

Frankly, Matt McQuaid is on the court to hit threes. True, he is a good perimeter defender who stays in front of his man and even takes charges and blocks shots. But the team can’t win without sufficient scoring, and it must have consistent three-point shooting from its wings to succeed long-term. McQuaid’s three-point percentage dipped from 40.9 percent his freshman season to 35 percent last season, and he’s shooting a dismal 1/8 from three thus far. McQuaid’s value to the team will also escalate next season, requiring him to improve.

Can Winston advance from being a stellar passer to becoming a game-changing point guard?

Those who have watched Cassius Winston play know he is an unreal passer, sometimes finding teammates in situations to score who didn’t even know they were open. But being an elite point guard takes more than passing well. Can Winston become a facilitator who gets his teammates where they need to be? It’s ideal for the team’s captain to play the point, but point guard captain Tum Tum Nairn doesn’t play enough to be a leader on the court.

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for November

Winston will be expected to be a star point guard for two more seasons after this year. Watch for signs of him improving on defense, reducing turnovers, and developing into the leader Michigan State will need him to be.

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Signs to observe while considering Michigan State basketball’s future

By Ian Olsen | Nov 16, 2017

Michigan State basketball has a bright future, but what signs should we be paying close attention to moving forward?