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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Oct 6, 2018; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; USA Men’s Junior National Team participant Max Christie (20) during minicamp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

I debated on putting Rocket Watts here, but I’m not so sure he’s planning on sticking around for another season but even if he is, he’s going to have to battle it out with one of the best prospects in the country in Max Christie.

A two-deep with Christie starting and Watts backing him up would be fantastic for the Spartans because if Rocket works on that jumper and gets more comfortable creating his own shots, he could be a legitimate All-Big Ten player. Problem is, we haven’t seen that from him in over a year as he looked the best at the end of his freshman season.

Right now, I’m giving the nod to Christie because I think Tom Izzo needs to give his young guys a legitimate chance to lead the way. He needs to play his best players and I think Christie can be that right away.

Christie has a solid 6-foot-6 frame and he’s added some muscle before his senior season which is what Izzo probably wanted to see.

The McDonald’s All-American is ranked the No. 17 prospect in the country and top shooting guard, according to the 247Sports composite.

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