Should Michigan State basketball feel good about Jalen Haralson?

Michigan State basketball fans are eagerly awaiting the Jalen Haralson decision on Wednesday night. Should we feel good?

We are mere hours away from a Jalen Haralson decision and, honestly, not one program feels all that confident. Michigan State basketball fans are left wondering if Tom Izzo and the Spartans can overcome the home-state Indiana Hoosiers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

We’re all wondering the same thing.

Haralson is the first major Michigan State target to make a decision in the 2025 class, although you could argue that Trent Sisley was first (he picked Indiana earlier this week). The train on Sisley seemed to have left the station long before he picked the Hoosiers which is why Haralson’s decision seems like the first important one in this cycle.

Indiana, Michigan State, and Notre Dame are the finalists and no one truly knows where he’s going to end up.

There have been rumors circulating that he’s facing a potential seven-figure NIL deal and that has shuffled between all three schools. The rumor on Tuesday was that Notre Dame was the favorite and the word on the street as of Wednesday afternoon is that no one knows. He has yet to alert any of the three finalists regarding his decision.

Which is why this recruitment is such a toss-up.

Some believe Michigan State sits in a good spot while others are sure that he’s headed to one of the Indiana-based schools.

But should Michigan State feel good about this decision heading into Wednesday night’s announcement?

Honestly, it’s hard to say but my advice would be to not hold your breath. It’s rare that Michigan State wins one of these rumored “massive NIL” commitments. Izzo isn’t one to get into a bag war with other programs, but I’d say that the Spartans have the best selling point in terms of on-court production. If Haralson is valuing playing for a contender, Michigan State has to be the choice. If it’s about money, it may have to be Notre Dame. If it’s a split between the two, Michigan State and Indiana would be my guesses.

Unfortunately, I see Haralson picking either Notre Dame or Indiana. There’s just been too much smoke regarding those two schools that would make it impossible to write off. If I’m putting a percentage on his chances to commit to the Spartans, I’d go with around 15.

I hope I’m wrong.