Times were good for MSU basketball when they gained a commitment from Malik Newman, they may be even better now that he is transferring.
After a disappointing freshman campaign, MSU basketball freshman guard has requested his transfer. When MSU basketball recruited the 5-start recruit, they expected big time games and wins with him at the helm. Instead, Newman struggled with consistency while averaging 11.3 points last season.
One of the major problems with Malik Newman was a turf toe injury suffered before the start of the regular season. He was unable to finish the MSU basketball training and never seemed to be in groove with his teammates as a result. Instead, MSU basketball got inconsistent results with Newman running the team.
It would be a stretch to even say Newman ran the team, though. MSU basketball never really ran their offense through Newman, which probably led to his transfer. Newman was expected to deliver a big time improvement in 2015-16. Instead, MSU basketball was mired in irrelevancy as Newman struggled. Malik delivered a major performance that led to a victory against arch rival Ole Miss, but that was about it.
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Instead of being upset about it, though, MSU basketball fans should be thrilled that Newman is transferring. MSU basketball has the 8th ranked recruiting class (2nd in SEC) coming in this year. Ben Howland has done a marvelous job recruiting to Mississippi State. Newman has done his part.
MSU basketball has always been a mediocre basketball program, though it has done better than most SEC teams. With the recruitment of Malik Newman, big-time recruits saw Starkville, MS as a legitimate option.
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With such an elite recruiting class coming in, MSU basketball fans should be happy Newman is leaving. Basketball, possibly more than any other sport, relies on team chemistry. A group of elite freshmen trying to coexist with a disgruntled star could have lead MSU basketball down a poor path. Instead, Howland won’t have to sacrifice his freshman class to appease Newman. It wouldn’t have ended well had a disgruntled Malik stayed, so MSU basketball fans should rejoice at the prospects of the future.