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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WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – MARCH 18: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans looks for the rebound against the UCLA Bruins during the first half in the First Four game prior to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Mackey Arena on March 18, 2021 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

All aboard. The Marcus Bingham hype train is about to lead the station and it’s as crowded as it’s ever been. The junior big man had himself quite the game against UCLA and somehow only played 20 minutes.

Playing less than half the game when you’re the best post defender on the team by a mile and you were responsible for multiple stops and an impressive plus-minus is criminal.

Bingham finished with seven points, three blocks (probably should have been four) and two rebounds. He was a monster in the post and was keeping UCLA scoreless down low. The team just runs so much smoother with him on the floor patrolling the paint and the Bruins went on a run when he was on the bench.

Hopefully Bingham returns because he has the potential to be one of the best big men in the Big Ten if he finds an offensive game. He’s dominant on the defensive end but if he added 15-20 pounds, he could be the same on the offensive end of the floor.

Bingham Jr. should be the unquestioned starter at center next year if he returns with Mady Sissoko and Julius Marble backing him up.

Next. Ideal starting 5 for 2021 NCAA Tournament. dark

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