Michigan State Basketball: Marcus Bingham Jr. has added some beef

For two years, Michigan State basketball fans have been hoping for a beefier Marcus Bingham Jr. and it looks like they might have their wish.

Marcus Bingham Jr. has been at Michigan State for two years and he’s had the same problem the entire time: his weight.

He came to Michigan State as a 6-10, 195-pound power forward with potential through the roof. Even one ESPN projection had him as the Spartans’ top NBA draft prospect as a freshman. But his slight frame never let him reach that potential as he was too light to do anything in the post at either end of the court.

Fast forward to the 2019-20 season and Bingham Jr. added 30 pounds and got some recognition as a guy who could break out as a sophomore and take charge in the post behind Xavier Tillman.

Now that Tillman made the decision to forgo his senior season and enter the NBA draft, Michigan State has a serious void to fill down low and it seems as if Marcus knows this is his time to prove himself in a pivotal point during his Spartan career.

It looks like he emulated Tillman’s workout plan, too, as he looks beefed up more than he has since he got to campus. He looks like a completely different player, at least his upper body, and that’s great news for Spartan fans worrying about post play.

Look at Bingham Jr.’s arms as a freshman. He was a twig, a toothpick, a string bean. Now it looks like he can hold his own in a Big Ten basketball game. He can back defenders down, score at the rim and block shots on the other end. His legs are still on the smaller side, but he’s starting to fill out his frame nicely.

Don’t believe me? Here’s another solid example:

OK, tell me that’s not added beef.

Bingham Jr. should get a chance to replace Tillman in the post and start alongside Joey Hauser this season which would be huge for Michigan State, especially if he keeps adding muscle and he reaches that potential which has been untapped for two years.

We may be approaching Bingham Jr. SZN.