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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
31-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Analyzing the plus-minus numbers for Michigan State in an Elite 8 loss to Auburn
Analyzing the plus-minus numbers for Michigan State in an Elite 8 loss to Auburn Michigan State fell to the Auburn Tigers in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament, ending their 2024-25 season. It was a bad night to go cold for Michigan State, who shot an abysmal 28% from three-point land and ultimately could not find a timely bucket against the Tigers. The season will now come to an end for Michigan State, who had a good run, making it to the Elite 8 and winning the Big Ten regular season title. Taking a look at the loss to the Tigers, there are some clear trends in the plus-minus that led to this defeat, showing which players played solid and which players faltered on the biggest stage of the Spartans. Take a look and analyze the plus-minus numbers for the Spartans: Szymon Zapala The Spartan big man was a plus on the court for the Spartans, pacing the way with a +9 rating in 14 minutes of game action. Jase Richardson In 30 minutes of action, Richardson excelled for the Spartans with a +7 rating, despite having struggles scoring from the field. Frankie Fidler Fidler only played 14 minutes in the game, but the Spartans transfer made his best efforts known in his final collegiate game, giving MSU a +5 effort. Jeremy Fears Jr. The Spartan leader and point guard plated 26 minutes in the game, giving MSU a +4 advantage during his minutes. Jaden Akins The senior played his final game in the green and white, and played 31 minutes during the game, finishing with 15 points in a -1 effort. Jaxon Kohler The Spartans big man was the leading scorer, giving a double-double effort in the game, despite a -9 while on the court for 28 minutes. Coen Carr Despite shining in the tournament, Carr did not have his best against Auburn on Sunday evening, going -12 in 21 minutes. Carson Cooper Cooper solidified himself as the Spartans best big to end the season, but amongst a long list of Spartan players, the big had an off night against Auburn, finishing as a -12 in 13 minutes. Tre Holloman Of all the nights to forget, Holloman may of had the biggest one. In 20 minutes of action, the junior guard was a -21 while shooting 0-for-10 from the field.
