Michigan State Basketball: Marcus Bingham Jr. critical to 2019-20 success
For Michigan State basketball to have any success in 2019-20, Marcus Bingham Jr. needs to take big strides on both ends of the floor.
Marcus Bingham Jr. came to Michigan State as one of the most highly-touted players in the entire 2019 class. Although he wasn’t a five-star, many would argue that he was the state of Michigan’s most talented recruit.
But before the season even started, Tom Izzo was having second thoughts about his immediate plans for the 6-11 freshman from Grand Rapids.
Bingham Jr. weighed about 215 pounds soaking-wet with 10-pound weights around each ankle. His legs looked like toothpicks and his arms were long, but slim. He didn’t have much definition and while that changed a little over the course of the season with workout regimens and plenty of food available to him on Michigan State’s campus, he didn’t quite get to a comfortable weight.
The potential was still there, though.
Instead of being a focal point on both sides of the floor as a freshman like he was hoping, Bingham Jr. entered games as a human victory cigar along with the walk-ons.
No, he didn’t expect to be an end-of-bench player only in games during blowouts, but he just couldn’t seem to add weight. He wasn’t quick on either end of the floor, but he showed promise. He wasn’t afraid to step out and hit threes, but he didn’t have the strength to go in and bang around in the post.
Bingham Jr. played in 24 games as a true freshman, averaging 3.5 minutes, 1.0 points and 1.1 rebounds. Shocking doesn’t even begin to describe the lack of production in year one for the former four-star prospect, but he faces a major opportunity in 2019-20.
Nick Ward declared for the NBA draft and Kenny Goins has exhausted his eligibility, leaving two openings in the post. Bingham Jr. is almost surely expected to take one of those spots.
If he adds about 30-40 pounds, he could be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten.
For Michigan State, he’s one of the most important players if the team wants to have any Final Four success next season. His ceiling is as high as anyone on the team — some even pegged him as a one-and-done candidate — and if he can even scratch the surface, Michigan State is going to be scary next season.
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The Spartans need Bingham Jr. to shine next season as a sophomore and he has all the tools to become a star.