MSU basketball, preseason #1 next year?

[johnny2x2x]

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...e-basketball-way-too-early-top-25/3408822002/

It appears so. ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today have MSU #1 in their way too early rankings.

Unless something changes drastically, Cassius is returning, he's all but said so outright.

Ward is 50-50 IMO, so we'll see. Team is loaded and will have some impact players added.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

Watts could be the biggest add. What really hurt us against TT was our lack of players that can make things happen. Virginia had a MUCH easier time against TT because they have better one on one players than we do. We have Cassius and little else. If Watts can come in and provide a 2nd threat off the dribble....it will help immensely.

 

[johnny2x2x]

Watts could be the biggest add. What really hurt us against TT was our lack of players that can make things happen. Virginia had a MUCH easier time against TT because they have better one on one players than we do. We have Cassius and little else. If Watts can come in and provide a 2nd threat off the dribble....it will help immensely.

I also think Henry sitting with 2 fouls in the first half was huge, he got to the lane a lot during that run we had late to pull within 1. Langford also adds a dimensions we lacked, someone that can create their own shot, his mid range is really good and he can hit the 18 footer while covered.

Watts can certainly handle the ball well, but he's a fantastic shooter, his stroke is money and will translate easily to college. Langford and Watts will provide 2 more ball handlers so that Winston can sit a few more minutes and play off the ball more often. Cassius was devastating this season in the 2nd half when he was rested.

Should be a great team next year, how the parts fit together will determine how far we can go, but we'll enter the season Big Ten and Final 4 favorites.

 

[Spartanmack]

those way too early top 25s are nonsense if not, the kiss of death. Either way, a total waste of time.

If everyone comes back, stays healthy and there are no locker room issues, we're going to be tough to beat - anything beyond that is pure speculation. After Ward and Winston decided what they're doing, and I've picked up some final four t-shirts for me and the kids, I'm putting aside all sports watching except golf majors and my kids' little league softball and baseball until CFB kicks off.

 

[SpartyNash]

those way too early top 25s are nonsense if not, the kiss of death. Either way, a total waste of time.

If everyone comes back, stays healthy and there are no locker room issues, we're going to be tough to beat - anything beyond that is pure speculation. After Ward and Winston decided what they're doing, and I've picked up some final four t-shirts for me and the kids, I'm putting aside all sports watching except golf majors and my kids' little league softball and baseball until CFB kicks off.

Same here for the most part. Although I?ll be checked out of MSU football early when we?re 3-5 and scoring 10 PPG by the end of October. But don?t forget Dantonio made significant staff changes!

 

[MSUMatt28]

If the people return who are expected to, there's no reason why they can't be on a really short list of contenders with a higher ceiling than this year. Expectations will be different. This year's team flew under the radar most of the year and it wasn't until they beat Michigan a second time that people started to pay more attention to them. They were definitely more hunter than hunted. Next year that could get flipped around. And the Big Ten may be even more loaded than this year.


But that's a concern for November and beyond.

 

[tinselwolverine]

those way too early top 25s are nonsense if not, the kiss of death. Either way, a total waste of time.

I guess it gives Brian Manzullo of the Freep and Jeff Borzello of ESPN a reason to put in for a paycheck for today.

 

[johnny2x2x]

#1
ESPN
SI
The Athletic
CBS
NBC Sports
NCAA (Andy Katz)

#2
Sporting News

 

[Sbee]

I also think Henry sitting with 2 fouls in the first half was huge, he got to the lane a lot during that run we had late to pull within 1. Langford also adds a dimensions we lacked, someone that can create their own shot, his mid range is really good and he can hit the 18 footer while covered.

Watts can certainly handle the ball well, but he's a fantastic shooter, his stroke is money and will translate easily to college. Langford and Watts will provide 2 more ball handlers so that Winston can sit a few more minutes and play off the ball more often. Cassius was devastating this season in the 2nd half when he was rested.

Should be a great team next year, how the parts fit together will determine how far we can go, but we'll enter the season Big Ten and Final 4 favorites.

As Izzo says, there are usually 7 or 8 teams that have a real shot to win the title, MSU will be one of them going into the season. whether we're ranked #1 or #4 doesn't mean a whole lot.

As for the Henry situation, we were up 14-11 when he got his second and never led after that. Of course hindsight is 20/20, maybe Gabe Brown would have come in and been half of what he was vs LSU, etc. This is where the lack of depth really hurts, if Aherns was out there, it would have been a different story. You don't have to be a plus player, just not a liability and get us to halftime without being exposed