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Michigan State Basketball: 5 things to look forward to in 2019-20 season

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 16: Gabe Brown #13 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans made basket at the end of the first half against Green Bay Phoenix at Breslin Center on December 16, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 16: Gabe Brown #13 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans made basket at the end of the first half against Green Bay Phoenix at Breslin Center on December 16, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Gabe Brown #13 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Marlon Taylor #14 of the LSU Tigers during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Gabe Brown #13 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Marlon Taylor #14 of the LSU Tigers during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

3. Growth of sophomore class

While it’ll be interesting to see how the freshmen fit in, the growth of the sophomore class is on everyone’s mind.

If you watch the exhibition opener against Albion on Tuesday night, you would have seen Michigan State’s sophomores in action and each one looked improved from a year ago.

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Gabe Brown has another gear to him and he played with plenty more confidence. A year ago, he would have just stood in the corner and jacked up threes, but on Tuesday, he passed up shots to drive and dunk over defenders. This kid is extremely athletic and if he can put it all together, he’s going to be scary good.

Aaron Henry is going to be solid once again as a full-time starter and if he can cut down the sloppy turnovers, he’s going to be a serious NBA prospect.

Thomas Kithier looked like he can handle the post production at the four spot and although he’ll be fighting for that starting spot, he looks more comfortable in the post. He could be a Matt Costell-type for the Spartans.

Foster Loyer had more confidence in his shot against Albion, but will he continue that against the bigger boys like Kentucky or Duke? We need to see more consistency, but if he can step up, he will be a huge factor in this team’s success.

Lastly, Marcus Bingham Jr. has arguably the highest upside, but needs to add some strength onto that 7-foot frame. He is incredibly talented, but will he step up and take the reins of that starting power forward spot? If he does, this team can beat anyone.

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