Michigan State Basketball: Way-too-early starting 5 projections for 2022-23

Michigan State Basketball: Way-too-early projected starting 5 for 2022-23

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 12: Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans fights for position for a rebound against Sasha Stefanovic #55 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half of a Men's Big Ten Tournament Semifinals game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 12, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Purdue Boilermakers won the game 75-70 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

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Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks with guard Max Christie (5) in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Max Christie had a roller-coaster of a freshman season, going from winning Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards left and right to hitting a wall and struggling to end the year.

Christie showed serious promise early on, hitting beautiful mid-range jumpers a-la Joshua Langford and then he just couldn’t find his confidence again. He had the occasional breakout game here and there, but he just didn’t look like his best self to end the year and it’s probably because he was run into the ground, averaging 24 minutes per game.

The Illinois-native finished the year averaging 9.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting just 38 percent from the floor and 31 percent from deep.

I think we’re going to see Christie bulk up this offseason and take a massive leap much like Jordan Davis or Keegan Murray did in the Big Ten. He’s going to go from solid contributor to All-Big Ten first-team player as a sophomore and likely a top NBA prospect.

The potential is there, he just needs a refresh button for his sophomore season.

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