Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. Monmouth

How about a nice palate cleanser after Saturday’s gross performance on the gridiron? Michigan State basketball opens the 2024-25 season on Monday night against a Monmouth team that went 18-15 a year ago.

The Spartans, on the other hand, finished with a second-round exit from the NCAA Tournament after beating Mississippi State in the battle of the MSUs in round one before losing to No. 1 North Carolina. Last season was supposed to be a special one for Tom Izzo and Michigan State, starting in the top five in the preseason only to watch that ranking disappear with an early losing record, including a home loss to James Madison.

This season, though, there are minimal expectations for the Spartans.

Yes, Michigan State has some votes in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, but nothing like last season when everyone had the Spartans ranked in the top five with national title aspirations. Unfortunately, guys like AJ Hoggard and Mady Sissoko didn’t live up to expectations and the team crumbled on the backs of its veteran leaders.

It’s time to hit that refresh button, though, and get to the action in 2024-25, starting with Monmouth on Monday night.

Let’s get bold.

1. Jaden Akins leads all scorers

Why is this a bold prediction given the fact that Jaden Akins is supposed to be the Spartans’ senior leader and potential best player? Because he has looked like a shell of himself in every exhibition showing this offseason. In Spain, he was shaky. Against Northern Michigan, he was non-existent. And finally, against Ferris State, he was nowhere to be found on offense.

That’ll finally change on Monday night.

Akins has heard all the chatter from Michigan State basketball fans worried about him heading into the season and he’s going to put on a show at the Breslin Center to the tune of 21 points and six rebounds. He’ll lead all scorers and really put some minds at ease.

Who says no to 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the floor and 3-for-5 from behind the arc? Not me. Not Izzo.

2. Jaxon Kohler double-double

The center rotation of Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper, and Szymon Zapala has been the topic of many conversations this offseason but it’s been fairly clear who the best option is: it’s Kohler.

The junior big man has looked much improved in the preseason and he looks like he’s slimmed down and gotten quicker. That should help him stay on the floor longer, especially since he has picked it up on the glass and the defensive end. He’s going to show everyone just how improved he is on Monday night with a double-double. Kohler will finish with 14 points and 10 rebounds, adding a block, to prove that he’s the best option at the five.

3. Jase Richardson scores in double figures

If there’s one newcomer who has impressed me the most so far, I think it has to be Jase Richardson. The freshman guard has been perfect from the floor through two exhibition games, making all seven of his shots and both free throws. He will continue that hot streak against Monmouth.

Richardson probably isn’t in the scouting report for Monmouth much, but he could be a legit sixth or seventh man for the Spartans this season and he’ll open his Michigan State basketball career with 11 points off the bench on 3-of-4 makes from deep and a breakaway dunk. Richardson, like his dad, is going to be fun to watch in East Lansing.