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

Alright, can we just get over the Tom Izzo and Gabe Brown exchange? Multiple former players have already chimed in, saying that’s what winning basketball looks like.

Gabe went out in the second half and played quite a bit and made some good plays so it’s not like he was a lost puppy. Aaron Henry had the same type of exchange with Izzo during his freshman season and look what he grew into. This is only going to make Gabe a better player and he’ll come out during his senior year and look like a much more aggressive player and top scorer.

Brown averaged a career-best 7.2 points per game in 2020-21, shot 47 percent from the floor and 42 percent from deep which were both also career-highs. He’s on the right track.

If Gabe can work on his defense and show that he can put the ball on the floor more consistently and take the ball to the hoop more, he could be one of the most improved players in the conference. He’s an impressive athlete and he consistently disappears in the corner waiting for a pass to hit a deep shot. He can do so much more.

I see Gabe taking a huge step in 2021-22 and being a staple of that starting lineup. I could also see him taking on more of a leadership role potentially as a captain.

Pierre Brooks would be a solid backup here.