Michigan State Basketball: Key observations from exhibition opener

It was only one preseason game against inferior Northern Michigan, but Michigan State basketball taught us a few things about this year’s team.

It was a single exhibition game against a subpar opponent, but Michigan State’s home win over Northern Michigan showed certain offseason indicators to consider going forward.

One is that Foster Loyer isn’t ready to shine yet. When Loyer dropped 40 points to win a consecutive state championship last season, the state’s Mr. Basketball capped off a legendary high school career. But Tuesday’s game again showed that college is different.

Loyer appeared lost defensively and, less accustomed to being beaten to loose balls, surrendered a layup by taking an ill-advised gamble. Despite being a supernatural shooter, higher speed makes creating shooting space more difficult.

Matt McQuaid played the point before Loyer entered the game, likely the best solution for now. Loyer’s impeccable foul shooting to utilize late in close games makes him valuable from day one. But a sudden transition from being a team’s focal point with free reign to being a role-playing substitute of an intricate offense will take time.

Cassius Winston’s ready to explode. He was labeled “passer” last season, but a byproduct of his precise shooting was also becoming the second-leading scorer. With an expanded role, Winston’s equipped to be a ruthless playmaker.

As a senior, Denzel Valentine seemed to nonchalantly choose between creating an open basket for a teammate or scoring himself according to his mood. Winston now rivals that and should be granted a similar green light.

More from Spartans Basketball

• Michigan State basketball facing Tennessee in October for great cause
• Michigan State basketball: What can’t Coen Carr do?
• A couple of former Michigan State basketball players head overseas
• Michigan State basketball: Tyson Walker got acquainted with Michigan rivalry immediately
• Michigan State basketball reportedly talking Baylor matchup in 2023-24

When 6-foot-11 Marcus Bingham scored 11 points in two minutes, including two threes and a put-back dunk, he showed that his length and skillset make him the freshman with the highest upside.

Redshirting Bingham, a possibility Izzo discussed, would be foolish. The team’s frontcourt is thinner than last season’s, and failing to capitalize on Bingham’s talent would stick a potential weapon on the bench.

Bingham is razor thin, but so are many successful college players. It may present a disadvantage against stronger players, but it doesn’t mean he can’t excel.

If Bingham leaves college early, redshirting him would waste an entire season Michigan State could benefit from him.

Xavier Tillman showcased his newly defined frame which enables him to play alongside Ward and defend more opponents. Though word is he’ll get the chance to start, the job should now to be his to lose.

Neither he nor Kenny Goins will likely be a go-to scorer this season, but being a legitimate threat finishing even a few baskets trumps going scoreless and leaving the lineup absent a scoring option.

As the team chases both success this season and builds what could be an even brighter future, the sophomore Tillman’s age and needed development should be factors when allotting time between him and the senior Goins.

If anyone has proven his offseason effort and newly deserved playing time, it’s Nick Ward, who also showed his leaner and quicker self. With a leaner frame, increased mobility, and improved relationship with Izzo, he’s seemed to have addressed issues that handcuffed him to the bench last season.

If the team is to approach its potential, Ward needs to be granted the spike in playing time he’s earned.