Michigan State Basketball: Ranking the 5 best moments of 2020

From left, Michigan State's Cassius Winston, Xavier Tillman and Gabe Brown pose with the Big Ten Championship trophy after beating Ohio State on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The Spartans won a share of the title with Maryland and Wisconsin.200308 Msu Osu 329a /

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Ypsilanti Lincoln’s Emoni Bates drives against Ann Arbor Huron’s Dylan Studstill during the first half at EMU’s Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. /

3. Emoni Bates sets off string of commitments

While this wasn’t exactly a moment on the court that fits the theme of this list, it was every bit as important as the other ones already mentioned on this list because it dictates future success.

Emoni Bates was never expected to commit and play college basketball and even Tom Izzo was surprised when he went on ESPN and made a live commitment. Everyone just expected him to reveal his new prep academy that his father created where he would finish out his high school basketball career, but he did that and committed to Michigan State.

https://twitter.com/WhosNextHS/status/1277662552793722880?s=20

Bates’ commitment set off a string of pledges for the Spartans which included Jaden Akins, Max Christie and Enoch Boakye. This has set up a positive outlook for the future and it can be attributed to Bates making the move first.

Akins and Bates have since had a little bit of a conflict at Ypsi Prep Academy but hopefully that irons itself out.

The Emoni commitment day was a memorable one for all Spartan fans.

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