Michigan State basketball: Potential transfer-centric starting 5 is intriguing

Michigan State basketball could be gearing up to add at least one transfer this offseason, but the starting five could feature two.

Something is brewing in the transfer portal in regards to Tom Izzo and Michigan State basketball.

Believe it or not, the Hall of Fame head coach who has shunned the portal over the years has dipped into it for some potential help ahead of the 2024-25 season. He knows that he’s going to have to adjust or his career will fizzle out a la Mark Dantonio’s in his final two years.

The portal has been a hot topic in East Lansing, but Izzo has found a way to calm fans’ nerves, reaching out to four players (so far). Izzo is reportedly targeting Keyshawn Hall (George Mason), Frankie Fidler (Omaha), J’Vonne Hadley (Colorado), and most recently, Trey Townsend (Oakland). That’s an impressive group of players and while everyone has been clamoring for a center, any one of these guys would improve next year’s starting five.

If Izzo decides not to go portaling for a center, next year’s lineup could still be rather intriguing.

Here’s what it could look like if he wins some of these recruitments and avoids a portal center.

Point guard: Tre Holloman/Jeremy Fears Jr.

I’m still having a tough time deciding between Tre Holloman and Jeremy Fears Jr. as the starting point guard. My gut tells me that Holloman will get the nod to start the season because he did take such a large sophomore leap and Fears is coming off a season-ending injury. But both have star potential. Izzo really can’t go wrong with either choice and I’m sure we’ll see small-ball lineups with both.

Shooting guard: Jaden Akins

This makes me happy. Jaden Akins is a really good player with elite potential, but he has yet to reach that because, well, he’s been playing out of position. Izzo has had him on the wing, guarding other teams’ threes. He’s more of a two-guard than anything else. Getting him back to his natural position is only going to help him as well as Michigan State basketball. I think we’re going to see him take a massive jump in his final year in East Lansing, assuming he decides to return.

Forward: Frankie Fidler

Frankie Fidler may be my top option for Michigan State in the portal right now. The 6-foot-7 forward transfer from Omaha is down to Michigan State, Wisconsin, Creighton, and Nebraska and the Spartans are getting his final official visit this weekend. A decision is also coming on Monday. If Izzo knocks this visit out of the park, he could be heading to East Lansing to play the three for the Spartans. For the first time in a few years, the Spartans will have a three with size and he could even play some four in a small-ball lineup. But adding a guy who averaged over 20 points and 6.3 rebounds per game to the wing would be a home run.

Forward: Trey Townsend

I bet you expected me to put Xavier Booker here, but in this situation, Izzo will avoid adding a portal center as he sees his budding superstar as the answer. In this scenario, Trey Townsend would be the choice at the four. And who would say no? He averaged 17.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor this past season. Oh, and he just led Oakland to the NCAA Tournament and a huge upset win over Kentucky. Izzo and the Spartans have reportedly contacted Townsend and he would slide into that Malik Hall role at the four.

Center: Xavier Booker

This past season wasn’t exactly ideal for Xavier Booker. The former five-star big man played sparingly but his minutes did increase near the end of the season and we finally saw flashes of brilliance. He could be a solid center for Michigan State basketball, but he needs to bulk up this offseason. The Big Ten’s bigs are going to push him around again if he doesn’t add some muscle. But let’s say he does – he will have the rest of the conference on notice. A 3-point shooting big man who can stretch the floor, has plenty of length, and (hopefully) improves on the defensive end will be a problem for opponents. Booker could legitimately be a 15/8 player.

While this lineup lacks the ideal portal center, it does pack quite a punch offensively. There would likely be no problems putting points on the board with the additions of Fidler on the wing and Townsend in the post.

I’m not sure if this is even realistic, but I wouldn’t be too mad at this lineup.