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Michigan State Basketball: Ideal starting 5 for 2021 Big Ten Tournament

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 25: Rocket Watts #2 and Aaron Henry #0 of the Michigan State Spartans walk onto the court after a time out in the first half of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Breslin Center on February 25, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 25: Rocket Watts #2 and Aaron Henry #0 of the Michigan State Spartans walk onto the court after a time out in the first half of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Breslin Center on February 25, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State’s Marcus Bingham Jr. dunks against Ohio State’s during the first half on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.210225 Msu Osu 103a
Michigan State’s Marcus Bingham Jr. dunks against Ohio State’s during the first half on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.210225 Msu Osu 103a /

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why Marcus Bingham Jr. doesn’t start every game and get 20-25 minutes. Is it a conditioning thing? Is he in Tom Izzo’s doghouse for some reason? Whatever it is, it needs to be figured out because Michigan State is a much better team when he’s on the floor.

Bingham Jr. is far and away the best post defender the Spartans have and if he played more, he could be on the Big Ten’s all-defensive team — I truly believe that.

You might look at his numbers and think he’s nothing more than an average big, but he really raises the ceiling of the Spartans with his rim-protecting ability and defensive savvy. He’s helped shut down guys like Kofi Cockburn, Hunter Dickinson, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Luka Garza this season. He can continue that stellar defensive play in the Big Ten Tournament.

Izzo has given Julius Marble the start for the past handful of games at center, but his defense just doesn’t compare to Bingham Jr.’s.

The plus/minus of Bingham Jr. has been among the best on the team this season and Michigan State is 6-1 when he plays at least 15 minutes. Time for Marcus to get the nod at center for 20-25 minutes per game from this point on.

Next. 3 takeaways from MSU's huge win over Michigan. dark

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