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Michigan State Basketball: What are realistic expectations for 2018-19 season?

By Connor Muldowney

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 03: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during semifinals of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 03: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during semifinals of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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The 2018-19 Michigan State basketball season is nearly upon us. What are the realistic expectations for Tom Izzo and the Spartans?

You would think that a team which has lost Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. to the NBA ranks would be headed toward disaster. Fortunately, that’s far from the case with Michigan State.

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Though Bridges, Jackson Jr., Gavin Schilling, Ben Carter and Tum Tum Nairn are gone, the Spartans return plenty of talent and there’s a widespread feeling around the fan base that the 2018-19 team could be better, at least more cohesive on the court, than the 2017-18 squad.

It’s hard to believe that’ll be the case, but it’s very possible.

So what are the realistic expectations for the Spartans heading into the new season which tips off at the end of October?

With three starters returning and a few guys who have starting experience under their belts, the Spartans could once again be favorites to win the Big Ten regular season title. While that’s a realistic expectation as they may have the most talent of anyone — along with Purdue, Ohio State and Michigan — fans are not content with just that.

Michigan State finished the 2017-18 season with a 30-5 record but it was dubbed a failure because of a second-round exit against Syracuse in Detroit.

Regular season titles are fine, and all, but any logical Spartan would have traded scenarios with Michigan. They would have much rather seen a fourth-place finish in the regular season Big Ten standings followed by the conference tourney title and a run to the national championship game.

Is it realistic to expect a deep run from this team? Absolutely.

With Cassius Winston, Josh Langford and Nick Ward back, the Spartans have a potentially elite point guard, top-tier wing and dominant big man. You add depth with an improved Xavier Tillman, sharp-shooting Matt McQuaid, reliable Kenny Goins, finally healthy Kyle Ahrens and a handful of talented freshmen and you have a team that could go far.

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Looking for a realistic expectation for this year’s team? It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to witness an Elite Eight or Final Four berth, but Sweet 16 should be the floor — key word: should.

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