Michigan State Basketball: Making case for each starting center option

The most weathered veteran in the big man rotation, although that’s not saying much, Thomas Kithier has a really good chance to start the season as the starting center.

The 6-foot-8 junior from Clarkston, Mich., appeared in 29 games last year, starting the first five of them. For the first two games of the season, Kithier made all eight shots from the field. He showed off a newly added 3-point shot against Seton Hall as well, but didn’t attempt a single three after that game.

There was a lot to be excited about after Kithier’s hot start to the season.

He didn’t capitalize on it though, coming off the bench for the rest of the season. Once Big Ten play rolled around, Kithier looked lost on both ends of the court. He wasn’t a very strong offensive player, so he couldn’t post up some of the tougher Big Ten bigs, and he isn’t really big enough to be able to hold his own as a defensive center, so it puts Tom Izzo in a tough spot.

Kithier wasn’t inherently bad last season, but he looked like he really didn’t belong in the starting rotation. He does have the most experience in the rotation, so that should be helpful when Izzo is deciding who gets to start.

Kithier, like Bingham, needs to remain consistent. If he can lock down the minutes, he’s a guy who is always in the right place at the right time, so he can provide the Spartans with a reliable scorer and very good rebounder.