Michigan State Basketball: Projected starting lineup for 2020-21 season

Before you ask, the answer is yes, I’m on the Marcus Bingham Jr. bandwagon. The junior big man from Grand Rapids, Mich., was expected to be a borderline pro as a freshman, but his lack of conditioning and slight frame prevented that. It was more of the same as a sophomore as he was built like a pencil.

Entering his junior season, Bingham Jr. looks like he’s added some upper-body mass and he looks like someone who could be poised for a breakout.

With Xavier Tillman gone, Bingham Jr. is my pick to replace him at the center position and we saw flashes of what he could do on the defensive end last season — most notably in a home game against Illinois where he held his own against Kofi Cockburn.

As long as Bingham Jr. can continue to beef up and improve his shooting touch and back-to-basket game on the other side of the floor, he’s going to be a force for the Spartans. He has the potential but he just needs to put it all together. We need to see him realize that potential.

Remember, Adreian Payne didn’t break out until his junior season and many fans labeled him a “bust” after quiet freshman and sophomore years.

Bingham Jr. is a similar player with athleticism despite a lanky frame in the post and this could be his year to truly break out. I believe it is.