Should Michigan State basketball target a Minnesota transfer?

Michigan State basketball has a new name to consider in the transfer portal as Minnesota’s Pharrel Payne is on the market.

It’s no secret to anyone that Michigan State basketball needs to hit the transfer portal this offseason. The Spartans were just linked to their first transfer on Thursday, but another name just came up in the portal that the Spartans should potentially take a look at.

NEWS: Minnesota big man Pharrel Payne has entered the transfer portal, per a @247SportsPortal source.

Averaged 10.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.4 blocks this season.https://t.co/d7Lllfs48n

— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) March 28, 2024

Pharrel Payne just finished up his second season with Minnesota and has officially entered the transfer portal. During his freshman season with the Gophers, he averaged a solid 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Those stats from over a year ago are already better than any big man on MSU’s roster, but Payne stepped it up this past season.

Payne slightly improved his numbers this season and averaged 10 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Again, much better than any Spartan big this season. In his three matchups against MSU, he averaged 8.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

The transfer big man is very effective in the post on the offensive end and is very efficient shooting the ball. He also is a plus defender and even averaged  1.4 blocks per game this year.

There’s no denying he is a good player, but should Michigan State target him?

It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for Tom Izzo to consider Payne. In my opinion, he is clearly better than anyone else on the roster, so getting a surefire upgrade isn’t a terrible idea.

However, I think there are better options already available and likely more that haven’t even entered the portal yet. I don’t think Michigan State should ever settle for anyone. So if the player isn’t one of the best in the country, the Spartans probably shouldn’t waste their time.

All that being said, I don’t think Izzo should completely ignore Payne either. I think MSU should contact him and keep him warm just in case they aren’t able to land anyone better. This is a more difficult thing to do in the portal compared to high school recruiting because portal recruitments don’t last very long, but I still think this is the best option for the Spartans.

Whether the answer is Payne or not, Izzo needs to get a big man out of the portal. Payne isn’t a bad option, but I think Michigan State basketball can do better.