He redshirted this season after suffering a foot injury. The question is, can he stay healthy? He hasn’t to this point. He showed late in 2017 that he could hit shots and he has some size (6-5) and athleticism to him. Kyle Ahrens, Jr., G/F: The Spartans could have used Kyle Ahrens against Syracuse. He’s a good program guy, a great guy to have with young players trying to learn the position. If he could become a semi-reliable shooter, it would change MSU’s season. He’s a capable shooter in that he has the stroke. He looked healthy and quick and played with more confidence. Goins played well in the second half of the season. MSU’s other best options at power forward will both be true freshmen in Marcus Bingham and Thomas Kithier. Kenny Goins, Sr., PF: MSU really needs Kenny Goins next season. MORE: Future unclear for three Spartans Izzo says he's staying MORE: Couch: Izzo deserves criticism for Syracuse – but chill with the doomsday perspective gone, Ward would be featured more prominently. Ward’s return would give MSU a go-to scorer on the low block. He has a knack for scoring from all sorts of angles, just like Zach Randolph, who was an inch or so taller and developed an outside shot in the NBA. That’s the next step for Ward and he knows it - developing the 17-foot-jumper that gives him a shot at the next level, where his lack of length is otherwise a problem. There’s also decent chance he’ll test the NBA draft waters, where he’ll learn there isn’t a large market for 6-8 post scorers who lack the ability to extend defenses. Nick Ward, Jr., C: I think there’s about a 75 percent chance Ward returns for his junior season. RELATED: Marcus Bingham came from the bottom to be state's No. He is not the one-and-done prospect Jaren Jackson Jr. He is the highest rated of MSU’s incoming recruits, ranked between No. Bingham, from Grand Rapids Catholic Central, is rail-thin, but his length and versatility could be an asset out of the gate. It should be noted that no one other than Bingham and one headline writer are comparing his game now to Durant’s. Marcus Bingham, Fr., F: Bingham, who is 6-foot-10 with a 7-4 wingspan, says he tries to pattern his game after Kevin Durant. He has the game to be more than a spot-up shooter (one who still passes up too many looks).
McQuaid, who’s a terrific perimeter defender (underrated because of his appearance), should get a shot to start next year.
And 39 percent isn’t a high average at the college level for a player taking more than 75 percent of his shots from long range. But, offensively, he was essentially a specialist. He made 39 percent of his 3-point attempts this past season and became a more consistent producer later in the year. Matt McQuaid, Sr., G: If Matt McQuaid could follow in Travis Trice’s footsteps - a three-year reserve and role player who flourishes as a senior - Tom Izzo and Co. He’s a good ball-handler, so the potential is there, even if he’s not an above-the-rim athlete.
He doesn’t get to the rim with confidence or finish well on the drive. If he could get his 3-point percentage to 45 percent - where Valentine was as a senior - you’d notice the difference. He can create his own jump shot off the dribble and is a 40-percent 3-point shooter. Expanding his offensive repertoire is important. But Langford became an A-level defender during the second half of the season. He’s not as quick as Harris and doesn’t see the court like Valentine. Joshua Langford, Jr., G: MSU coaches want Langford to be some combination of Gary Harris and Denzel Valentine. MSU really lacked that component in its offense this season. The question is whether he can become a guard that can turn a corner and attack the basket without a ball-screen. He was also second in free-throw percentage (90.0). He led the Big Ten in assists (6.9 per game) and 3-point percentage (49.7), both by a mile. The ball will be in his hands even more moving forward. But he was the conductor of an orchestra that was rarely in tune this past season, despite 30 wins. It needs to become his program next season. Cassius Winston, Jr., PG: MSU became Winston’s team over the last few months.
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