Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: 10 bold predictions for 2020-21 season

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Marcus Bingham Jr., right, celebrates with Rocket Watts during a timeout in the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.200225 Msu Iowa 209a
Michigan State's Marcus Bingham Jr., right, celebrates with Rocket Watts during a timeout in the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.200225 Msu Iowa 209a /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 10
Next
Feb 4, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) against Penn State Nittany Lions forward Mike Watkins (24) and Penn State Nittany Lions guard Izaiah Brockington (12) during the second half of a game at the Breslin Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) against Penn State Nittany Lions forward Mike Watkins (24) and Penn State Nittany Lions guard Izaiah Brockington (12) during the second half of a game at the Breslin Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Marcus Bingham Jr. breaks out

If you’ve been reading any of my basketball content this offseason, you’d know that I’m currently the leader of the Marcus Bingham Jr. fan club. He has all the potential in the world and I’ve been a believer that it will shine through before he leaves MSU.

Some fans have jumped off the bandwagon after a couple of disappointing seasons, but remember this: Adreian Payne was widely labeled a “bust” after two years in East Lansing.

In fact, Payne averaged 2.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks as a freshman and 7.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks as a sophomore. He was considered a disappointment as a former five-star recruit with plenty of potential and a string-bean frame.

As a freshman, Bingham Jr. averaged 1.0 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.4 blocks. As a sophomore, he averaged 3.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Not quite the same as Payne, but similar “disappointment” through two seasons with similar frames.

I’m calling a breakout from a stronger, bigger Bingham Jr. in 2020-21 as he becomes the starting center.

Home/Spartans Basketball