As another exciting Big Ten season approaches, Tom Izzo, the league’s most accomplished and celebrated figure, finds his program in the familiar position as the favorite. What’s different this year is that the longtime Michigan State head coach brings something he’s never had into this season – a top-five recruiting class (according to 247sports). While that fact may surprise some, it shouldn’t. Izzo has had his fair share of individual blue-chip prospects in the past, but he’s never snagged so many at once nor has he been considered a recruiting virtuoso like John Calipari or Mike Krzyzewski. Rather, he’s previously expressed his frustration with the seedier aspects of chasing commitments from 17-year olds but he’s since adjusted his recruiting approach which has culminated in an incoming group of four top 50 players – two of whom are McDonald’s All-Americans. This talented group joins enough returning veterans that the Spartans are once again poised to challenge for a Big Ten championship.
Tom Izzo has his highest-ranked recruiting class coming into a season with big expectations.
This year’s freshmen class includes four exceptional players: Miles Bridges (#12), Josh Langford (#20), Cassius Winston (#33), and Nick Ward (#41). Aside from that notable injection of talent, it is a balanced class with each player filling a specific position on the floor. As the crown jewel of the class, Bridges – a bouncy yet physical combo forward who can finish above the rim – is the freshman who will be ready to contribute from day one. Langford is a big-bodied combo guard who likes driving to the rim and proved he could play among elite players when he scored 12 points in 15 minutes of action at the McDonald’s All-American game. Winston is a prototypical point guard with a well-rounded offensive skill set, but what makes him most attractive are his intangibles — the Detroit product led his high school team to four state championships. Finally, Ward is the true big man of the class. The wide-bodied Gahanna, Ohio, native has exceptional hands, has dropped 20 pounds since his last high school season, and says “I’m in the best shape of my life.”
The Spartans lost four of their top five scorers from last season, including AP and NABC National Player of the Year Denzel Valentine. East Lansing has also experienced the injury bug this preseason, as Gavin Schilling and Ben Carter are out indefinitely with serious injuries. Despite all of that attrition, Michigan State returns a trio of significant contributors who averaged over 15 minutes per game last year: Tum Tum Nairn, Eron Harris, and Matt McQuaid. This should give the incoming freshmen – all of whom are expected to get significant minutes — enough support to ride out any early growing pains. By the time March rolls around, expect these young Spartans to have earned the requisite experience to strike fear into coaches facing a deeply talented and well-tested Izzo squad.