Michigan State Basketball: Potential future roster with Jalen Terry is frighteningly-good

Jalen Terry gave his verbal pledge to Michigan State basketball on Tuesday night and that sets up a scary-good future roster two years down the line.

Michigan State is currently facing the biggest week arguably in Tom Izzo’s career as the Spartans have made the Final Four for the eighth time and have a serious shot at winning it all.

The chase for No. 2 under Izzo is on, but he received some good news on Tuesday night when four-star uber-athletic point guard Jalen Terry committed to the green and white. He became the first 2020 pledge and could set up a domino effect, of sorts, for in-state recruiting.

With the commitment, Michigan State fans got a break from the Final Four excitement for some positive recruiting news and he could be the ideal replacement for Cassius Winston.

Yes, following next season (hate to look ahead with what’s on the line this weekend) could be rough, losing guys like Winston, Josh Langford and Nick Ward for sure. Those three will be incredibly difficult to replace, but a future roster with the newest commitment as well as the 2019 recruiting class is incredibly frightening — in a good way.

You could see an athletic Terry at point guard — he could be the most athletic at the position Izzo has ever had — or maybe even an improved Foster Loyer. Really, if the latter happens, Michigan State is in a win-win situation with a formidable backup either way.

At shooting guard, Rocket Watts will be there along with a guy like Aaron Henry, assuming he’s back for the 2020-21 season. At small forward, Henry could get the start there or even Gabe Brown or Malik Hall. Those are three viable starters and each has impressive athleticism and have barely scratched the surface.

At the power forward spot, a more muscular, and hopefully 35 pounds heavier, Marcus Bingham Jr. should see starting time. He was a potential one-and-done recruit coming in, but his weight has been the only issue. He needs to bulk up, and when he does, he could be an Adreian Payne-type of player — or maybe even Jaren Jackson Jr. He’ll have Julius Marble and Thomas Kithier pushing him there as backups.

Lastly, at center would be Xavier Tillman, assuming he stays all four years which right now doesn’t seem like a guarantee. He’d be one heck of a leader and captain and could go down as one of Izzo’s best bigs if he does stay.

This isn’t even mentioning a few others who could be in the fold in the 2020 class like five-star power forward Isaiah Jackson who looks to be leaning green, four-star small forward Cam’Ron Fletcher and four-star power forward Carlos Johnson.

The future of Michigan State basketball is bright and life after the talented 2016 class leaves campus isn’t that scary, after all.