Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons Kerry Blackshear is perfect fit

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 14: Teammates Kerry Blackshear Jr. #24 and Nickeil Alexander-Walker #4 of the Virginia Tech Hokies react against the Florida State Seminoles during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 22: Jaylen Hands #4 of the UCLA Bruins drives against Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans during the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 22, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

4. Chance to mentor MSU’s young bigs

This perfect fit goes for both sides and for Michigan State, it would be a prime opportunity for Kerry Blackshear to mentor the Spartans young bigs.

Thomas Kithier, Marcus Bingham Jr., Julius Marble and Malik Hall are all going to need a veteran big to look up to and even though Xavier Tillman can assume that leader role, Blackshear has more experience and he can make sure one of those four young bigs doesn’t have to be thrown into the fire to start right away.

It would be less than ideal to have a freshman or sophomore with little to no experience start in the post next season and Blackshear would be there to make sure they grow for one more season before taking over as starters.

Nick Ward and Kenny Goins were solid mentors for the young bigs but it was clear near the end of the season that they weren’t quite ready and Blackshear will assume that mentor role in 2019-20 as a grad transfer.

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