In college basketball, having depth is about more than simply having enough players to fill a rotation. With a long season filled with demanding schedules, injuries can affect a team at any point, making the ability to rely on players beyond the starting five increasingly important. A team's success often depends on its ability to adjust when a player is unavailable or when starters need time to rest.
Having the next-man-up mentality means players are prepared to step into larger roles when called upon, provide consistent production, and keep the team competitive regardless of who is on the floor. For Michigan State, developing that depth and getting meaningful contributions from its second unit could prove just as important as the production of its starting lineup.
