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Michigan State basketball: 2019-20 season review and 2020-2021 first-look preview

By Mike Phillips

Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – MARCH 08: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans looks on while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Breslin Center on March 08, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 80-69. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – MARCH 08: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans looks on while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Breslin Center on March 08, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 80-69. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Top Players

Cassius Winston

There was no question the Spartans were going to go as far as Cassius Winston would take them this season. The senior point guard entered the year as a preseason favorite for the National Player of the Year Awards but he didn’t quite reach those heights as Luka Garza, Obi Toppin and Myles Powell made more of an impact. Winston was still an excellent player for Michigan State, leading the team in scoring, assists, and steals while serving as the team’s leader.

Xavier Tillman

If Cassius Winston was Michigan State’s Batman, Xavier Tillman was the clear Robin. Tillman teamed with Winston to form a dynamic duo for the Spartans on offense, dominating on the interior and proving to be a capable passer out of the post. Michigan State also got a lot out of Tillman on the defensive end with the junior blocking two shots a night and making life tough in the paint for the opposition.

Aaron Henry

Finding a third scorer to go with Winston and Tillman wasn’t easy for Michigan State but by the end of the season Aaron Henry had stepped up to the plate. Henry was a bit of a disappointment since his shooting percentages slightly dipped from year-to-year but he did do a good job keeping the offense moving when he was on the floor. With Winston departing next year Henry will be asked to shoulder more of the load entering his junior season.

Rocket Watts

No player on Michigan State made a bigger leap from November to March than Rocket Watts. The freshman point guard was asked to play off the ball with Winston running the show, and that took a bit of adjusting, but it proved to be a long-term benefit since Watts became more of a scorer. The Spartans will also be giving more responsibility to Watts next season so they have to hope what they saw out of him this year will pay dividends going forward.