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

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: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a basket with teammates Gabe Brown #13 against the LSU Tigers during the first 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) /

2. Playing with arguably biggest target ever on their backs

Seeing how this team handles the massive target on its back will be exciting to see. As we all remember from the 2011-12 team, not every preseason expectation can be met and sometimes when people think you’re going to be the best team in the country, you fall flat on your face. Those Spartans were loaded, went to the Final Four the previous year, started the season ranked No. 2 and then eventually lost in the first round with 15 defeats on the season.

Fortunately, this team is veteran-led and Cassius Winston has a good head on his shoulders and doesn’t seem to get fazed by the pressure. He has a solid sidekick in Xavier Tillman and even though his normal second in command, Josh Langford, is out for a while, he could still return in the second half of the year.

Add in some talented sophomores and a solid incoming freshman class which will contribute heavily and you have one of the most balanced teams in the country.

How will the Spartans fare with this gigantic target? We will find out very early on.

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