Spartan Avenue
Fansided

5 offseason tasks that’ll make Michigan State basketball 2022-23 national title contender

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State forward Joey Hauser (10) talks to forward Malik Hall (25) during the second half of Michigan State's 74-73 victory over Davidson in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. on Friday, March 18, 2022.
Michigan State forward Joey Hauser (10) talks to forward Malik Hall (25) during the second half of Michigan State's 74-73 victory over Davidson in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. on Friday, March 18, 2022. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

Michigan State basketball finished with a 23-13 record which didn’t meet expectations, but next season could be special if these things happen.

After losing in the Round of 32 in a hard-fought battle with Duke, Michigan State basketball finished its season with a 23-13 record and what many would consider a “disappointing” year overall. The Spartans began the season unranked but compiled a 17-4 record, leaping into the top 10 before stumbling in the final eight weeks.

The Spartans look like one of the most intriguing teams to follow this offseason with plenty of storylines including returns of seniors potentially and possible transfer portal additions.

With the right moves and developments this offseason, Michigan State can realistically be one of the best teams in the country next year.

What needs to happen this offseason for Michigan State to be considered a national title contender in 2022-23?

Bonus: At least one of Brown/Bingham/Hauser return

Michigan State is still waiting to hear the decisions from the three seniors with at least one year of COVID eligibility left. Will Marcus Bingham Jr., Gabe Brown, or Joey Hauser return for one final season? There is room on the roster for all three of them if they did decide to come back, but I’d be shocked if that happened.

Bingham is the least likely to return, in my opinion, but he’d be the most important because the Spartans need a floor-stretching, rim-protecting big man and he fits that bill. When he wasn’t in Tom Izzo’s doghouse, he was one of the best defensive bigs in the Big Ten.

Brown is the second-least likely but he would also be a good returning piece as he was a 3-point specialist who could score in bunches when he was hot (vs. Duke).

Lastly, Hauser would be the perfect glue guy and he actually has two years of eligibility left. I would love to see him come back.

Home/Spartans Basketball