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USA Today
31-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Way-too-early look at the 2025-26 Michigan State basketball roster, potential rotation
Way-too-early look at the 2025-26 Michigan State basketball roster, potential rotation Looking ahead at what Michigan State's team might look like next season Unfortunately, Michigan State basketball's season ended on Sunday with a frustrating loss to No. 1 ranked Auburn in the Elite 8. It was a sad ending for a wonderful season for the Spartans, who defied everyone's expectations and made a surge through the NCAA Tournament, where it took the overall top seed to finally end their season. Now, attention will turn to the 2025-26 season, where expectations will be much higher than many would have expected after the Spartans had their best season since the start of COVID-19 and the days of Cassius Winston. Below, we will take a look at the Spartans roster on a player-by-player basis, along with a look at who is leaving, who the Spartans might pursue as a transfer, what the rotation looks like as things currently stand, and how things might look if some anticipated departures occur. Departing No matter what, at least three players from this team will be leaving this summer: Jaden Akins, Frankie Fidler, and Szymon Zapala. All three are out of college eligibility. Akins has been the heartbeat of this team for years with his strong defense and work ethic. It will be tough for fans to see him go. Frankie Fidler and Szymon Zapala were the perfect MSU transfers. Both players fit into the culture and program seamlessly and I think provide a blueprint for MSU transfers moving forward. Full Roster Jeremy Fears Jr. Fears will definitely be back, and should make a jump this summer now that he's fully healthy for a full offseason. Tre Holloman Holloman is an interesting player to monitor this offseason. He might explore his options at the next level, and it wouldn't be shocking if he talked to other programs around the country. But as of now, I'm expecting him back in green and white. Jase Richardson One of the biggest questions for MSU this summer will be around Jase Richardson. Richardson could be an NBA player by mid-summer if he wants to be. Or, he could come back and try to reach a Final Four and beyond. No one could fault him for going either way. Coen Carr In a lot of ways, this season became about Coen Carr's rapid growth from a rotation player into a legitimate star for Michigan State. With another offseason of shooting and ball-handling development, Carr could reach an All-Big Ten level for the Spartans next year. Jaxon Kohler I'd put Kohler in the same camp as Tre Holloman. I am expecting him to be back, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he at least gets some feedback from NBA scouts in the draft process, or from other schools who might try to tantalize him with promises of being a Jokic-type focal point of an offense. However, he clearly bleeds green and white and I'm expecting him back next year. Carson Cooper Unless a big name transfer comes in, Cooper should be the starting center for the Spartans next year. Kur Teng Next year, we will definitely see Kur Teng be a meaningful part of the rotation. On a team that was starved of shooting at times, Kur Teng's shooting acumen could help reshape this team and make them more dangerous. Gehrig Normand Here is a sneaky interesting name to monitor. Those who watch MSU's pregame warm-ups know Normand can really shoot it (he hardly misses his warm-up threes). Normand seems to be a big part of the team culture, but if Jase Richardson and Tre Holloman both return, it's hard to see where the minutes come from, making him a potential transfer candidate, although his shooting would be very welcome in the rotation. Xavier Booker Another player who will be the center of a lot of speculation this offseason. If Booker wants to stay and develop, you know Izzo will give him everything he has. But after two disappointing years without many minutes, no one would fault Booker for transferring out and trying to find more secure minutes elsewhere. Jordan Scott I am a big fan of Jordan Scott, but there's a chance he takes a redshirt next year to add more muscle. Cam Ward Similar to Scott, I am a fan of Cam Ward, but we will have to see if he's going to be part of the rotation next year. A redshirt could also be in his future. Jesse McCulloch Jesse McCulloch is a player I've been waiting to see. We aren't even sure what his position will be yet. I have been under the impression he will be a big four like Kohler, but he has interesting upside as a center. Transfer needs There is a lot in flux here, so I'm not going to spend too much time guessing at what they will actually need. Instead, I'll rank three areas they could dip into the portal for by how beneficial they would be: Big: Right now, Carson Cooper is the only pure center on the roster next year. Jaxon Kohler seems to prefer the four, and I think McCulloch will be in that same boat. I could definitely see how MSU dipping back into the portal for a player similar to Szymon Zapala would benefit them. Wing: Jordan Scott and Cam Ward might not be fully ready next year. If that's the case, a veteran wing to replace Frankie Fidler would be useful. Guard: We know Jeremy Fears Jr. will be the Spartans' starting point guard. We do not know who will back him up. Will Tre Holloman be back? Well, we've seen that he is probably more effective as a shooting guard. It's not the biggest need, but a veteran point guard to give Fears some help could be helpful. Potential Rotation if everyone stays This is tough to project right now until we know what is happening with Jase Richardson, but here is where the rotation currently stands if everyone comes back: PG: Jeremy Fears Jr./Tre Holloman SG: Jase Richardson/Tre Holloman/Kur Teng SF: Coen Carr/Gehrig Normand/Jordan Scott PF: Jaxon Kohler/Xavier Booker/Cam Ward C: Carson Cooper/Jesse McCulloch/Jaxon Kohler If this entire group comes back, I would expect a lot of positional flexibility to make sure everyone can get minutes, which is why you see some players listed in multiple spots. It's hard to see Tre Holloman not being a starter as a senior if he comes back, but it's also hard to see whose spot he would take to start if Richardson returns and Kohler is still at the four. Potential rotation if players leave In this scenario, Xavier Booker and Gehrig Normand both transfer and Jase Richardson leaves for the NBA. Here is what that might look like: Jeremy Fears Jr./Tre Holloman Tre Holloman/Kur Teng Coen Carr/Transfer/Jordan Scott Jaxon Kohler/Jesse McCulloch/Cam Ward Carson Cooper/Transfer To be honest, I think this is probably the most likely outcome. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
USA Today
29-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State F Frankie Fidler talks win over Ole Miss in Sweet 16
Michigan State F Frankie Fidler talks win over Ole Miss in Sweet 16 Michigan State basketball went down to Atlanta and took down the Ole Miss Rebels in the Sweet 16 on Friday night, punching their ticket to an Elite 8 matchup with Auburn on Sunday. In the win, Tom Izzo relied on his seniors to weather some very big storms from the Rebels, but it was the seniors that would deliver. Frankie Fidler was one of those seniors that stepped up in a big way on Friday. Fidler may have only finished with five points, but two of those points came at one of the biggest points in the game, and overall, he was a stabilizing force for the Spartans. In the locker room after the game, Fidler briefly spoke with the media, touching on some of the game plan things in the game against the Rebels, as well as what it means to him to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Full video: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Analyzing the Spartans plus-minus numbers in the win over New Mexico on Sunday
Analyzing the Spartans plus-minus numbers in the win over New Mexico on Sunday Michigan State basketball took down New Mexico on Sunday night in the NCAA Tournament's second round, propelling the Spartans into the Sweet 16 for a matchup against Ole Miss. The game between the Spartans and Lobos was a dog fight, with both teams bringing physicality and intensity from the opening tip to the final buzzer. In the game, Michigan State was punched in the mouth by New Mexico, but as they have done all season long, punched back. With analyzing the game from the Spartans, it is interesting to not only look at the shooting numbers or rebounding numbers, but taking a look at the plus-minus from the players during their minutes on the court. Check out where the Spartans landed in the plus-minus numbers at the conclusion of the win over New Mexico on Sunday night: Frankie Fidler Leading the way for Michigan State was senior forward Frankie Fidler, who finished as a +19 in 17 minutes of game time. Tre Holloman Coming in for a tie for second in the plus-minus department was junior guard Tre Holloman, who was a +11 in 24 minutes of action. Carson Cooper Tying Holloman for second in the plus-minus department was center Carson Cooper, who came in with a +11 in 17 minutes on the court. Jaden Akins The senior leader that led MSU in scoring, while willing his team to winning the weekend, Jaden Akins was a +5 in his 29 minutes in the game on Sunday. Coen Carr Another player who made his impact felt this weekend was Coen Carr, who had another solid performance that resulted in a +3 in 24 minutes of action. Jeremy Fears Jr. While not lighting up the stat sheet, Jeremy Fears was a massive leader for the Spartans with his defense and his play with intangibles throughout the game. Fears ended as a +2 in 27 minutes on Sunday. Szymon Zapala Szymon Zapala struggled to open the game as a starter, but the senior center from Poland had a stretch in the middle of the game that reinvigorated the Spartans. He finished at +2 in 10 minutes during the win. Jase Richardson One of two players that finished in the negatives on Sunday, Jase Richardson was a -2 over his 30 minutes in the win. Jaxon Kohler The other player that finished in the negatives, Jaxon Kohler's minutes on the court did not go great for the Spartans, as the matchup for the Spartan junior was not great. Kohler played 17 minutes and finished as a -11.
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Frankie Fidler talks huge performance, Spartan defining moment in win over New Mexico
Michigan State basketball took down New Mexico on Sunday night, gaining a round of 32 victory and punching their ticket into the Sweet 16. The Spartans did not have their best on Sunday, and needed several different players to step up in big moments for the team. One player that made his impact felt, and may have even solidified himself in Spartan history, is Frankie Fidler. While Fidler's season has been disappointing in some regard, the Omaha transfer made sure the Spartans were going to move on. Fidler had 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting, getting massive buckets for the Spartans in key moments of the game. After the game, Fidler spoke to the media inside of the locker room, sharing his thoughts on the Spartans win and his strong performance that helped lead Michigan State to the Sweet 16: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
USA Today
17-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Watch Omaha's funny reaction when they did not draw Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament
Watch Omaha's funny reaction when they did not draw Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament 'I WANT IT': @OmahaMBB with an awesome reaction to Bryant drawing Michigan State in the first round. 😂 The Mavericks wanted that Frankie Fidler reunion! — Clayton Collier (@ClaytonJCollier) March 16, 2025 Michigan State basketball landed as a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament, as revealed on the selection show Sunday evening. With the Spartans as a 2-seed, they matched up with the Bryant Bulldogs as the 15-seed in the opening round of the tournament. A small, fun tidbit to note is that the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks were also selected as a 15-seed, after winning the Summit League championship. The other note of that tidbit is that Spartan forward Frankie Fidler transferred to MSU from Omaha. As is customary on selection Sunday, teams get together for watch parties, to see where they fall in the tournament bracket. During Omaha's watch party, when Bryant was revealed as Michigan State's opponent, the Mavericks had a funny reaction. Before Bryant was announced, following the reveal of MSU, it could be heard that several of the Mavericks players said "I want it," showing their desire to get a shot at the Spartans. After the Bulldogs were announced, a ton of groans rained down from the Omaha faithful. See the full reaction from the Lancers, who did not draw the Spartans, via X: Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
