Michigan State basketball: 3 reasons Tom Izzo is on verge of second title

3. An elite 2021 recruiting class

Remember the 2016 recruiting class with Cassius Winston, Miles Bridges, Nick Ward and Josh Langford? It was considered one of the best, if not the best, recruiting classes Tom Izzo has ever landed, rivaling that of the Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, Chris Allen group. Well, the 2021 class may blow both of those out of the water.

The Spartans have already secured Pierre Brooks who is one of the best shooting guards in the country as well as the No. 1 prospect in the state of Michigan (No. 68 overall). They just picked up a commitment from Max Christie who is the No. 1 shooting guard in the nation and the No. 13 prospect in the class. Emoni Bates could reclassify and he’s the nation’s top overall recruit and his new prep teammate, four-star point guard Jaden Akins, is an MSU lean.

That right there is a really good starting lineup, missing only a big.

Add that elite 2021 class to a roster that could bring back Rocket Watts, Malik Hall, Gabe Brown, Marcus Bingham Jr., Thomas Kithier, Foster Loyer, Mady Sissoko, Joey Hauser and AJ Hoggard and you have one of the best teams in MSU history, on paper.

That roster might just give Tom Izzo all he needs to make a serious run at No. 2.