Michigan State Basketball: Way-too-early starting 5 predictions for 2021-22

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 06: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30, Gabe Brown #44, A.J. Hoggard #11 and Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate a play in the second half of the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Breslin Center on December 6, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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I will be the conductor of the Jaden Akins hype train this offseason. Somehow he was left off the McDonald’s All-American rosters and he’s one heck of an athlete. He’s going to be a breath of fresh air for Michigan State fans who watched plenty of mediocre point guard play this year.

Akins could come in right away and take over the starting job with AJ Hoggard backing him up but I could also see these two flipped. Hoggard struggled a lot this season because he had no confidence in his shot. He can take the ball to the hoop with a purpose but finishing is another story. If Hoggard works on his offense this offseason, he’ll be a solid point guard and potentially a special player for Tom Izzo.

For the sake of predicting in the present, I’m going with Akins to get the start and Hoggard to be the backup with potentially a grad transfer added to the mix.

Akins stands 6-foot-3 and 160 pounds and has incredible bounce. He’s the Spartans’ most athletic point guard since Keith Appling and he has an even higher ceiling. Ranked the No. 55 prospect and 11th-best point guard in the country, Akins has future pro written all over him.

With a true point guard leading the way, Michigan State should be much more steady on offense.

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