Why Michigan State basketball should target Trey Townsend regardless of “fit”

Oakland’s Trey Townsend is in the transfer portal officially and Michigan State basketball should probably take a look.

After a little over a week of waiting, Oakland’s Trey Townsend is officially entering the transfer portal. Why is this important? This portal entrant should be of interest to Tom Izzo and Michigan State basketball.

There’s been a lot of chatter about how Townsend could be a good ‘OKG’ kind of player for Michigan State, but his “fit” on next year’s squad wouldn’t exactly be perfect. He would play the four like he did at Oakland in a Malik Hall type of role. While that doesn’t seem bad, it would force Xavier Booker to play the five which is not ideal for him given his defensive struggles and thin frame.

But I’m sure it wouldn’t take much to get fans to buy into a Townsend/Booker frontcourt.

While the fit would make for another somewhat less-than-ideal lineup with Booker at the five, it would be something that could actually make next year’s team better. And here’s why I think that is.

• Rebounding help

For starters, Townsend would have led Michigan State in rebounding last year. Yes, as a 6-foot-6 forward, he would have been Michigan State’s leading rebounder, averaging a healthy 8.1 boards per game. On top of that, he grabbed over two offensive boards per game which, looking back, could be the difference between winning and losing some games. While Booker would be slightly uncomfortable at the five early on, the rebounding would get a massive shot in the arm with Townsend.

• Plays like Malik Hall

If you looked at this past season’s Michigan State basketball team, you’d realize that the biggest issue was not the 2-4 positions. The biggest problem was the five and AJ Hoggard’s inconsistency at the point. So trading out Malik Hall for Townsend would actually be huge. They’re similar players with almost the exact same frames and all this would do would force Booker to add some muscle this offseason so he can man the five. If Booker can add some weight and score with his back to the basket and defend, getting Malik Hall 2.0 would be a godsend.

Like Hall, Townsend didn’t shoot a ton of threes but when he did, he was rather effective, making 38 percent last year. That would also help stretch the floor. He’s a threat to shoot it, but he can also drive the lane and score with his aggressive style.

I would kill for another year of Malik. This would be the next best thing.

• Floor-spacing

As I just mentioned, Townsend would help space the floor with Booker at the five, Jeremy Fears or Tre Holloman at the point, and Jaden Akins at the two-guard spot. This would also leave room for Michigan State to add another wing who fits more in that small forward spot.

It would be a small-ball lineup almost at all times, but it would open the floor up for guys like Akins or Fears or Holloman to drive and kick or drive and dish. Townsend would definitely boost the offense.

• Townsend excelled vs. power conference teams

For those who are worried about Townsend’s jump from Horizon League Player of the Year to a power conference, don’t be. He played exceptionally well against the big boys in college basketball this year.

Don’t believe me? Here are his games against power conference teams:

• at Ohio State: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 7-of-16 shooting
• at Illinois: 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 7-of-18 shooting
• at Xavier: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 11-of-18 shooting
• at Michigan State: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 6-of-14 shooting
• vs. Kentucky: 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 2 steals, 6-of-15 shooting
• vs. NC State: 30 points, 13 rebounds, 11-of-25 shooting

So against the best teams on his schedule (he also had a 21-point game against NCAA Tournament team Dayton), Townsend averaged 21.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Against Big Ten teams, he averaged 18 points and 9.5 rebounds. It’s safe to say he can play with the big boys.

While I’m not saying Michigan State basketball needs to go after Townsend because I do think Booker is better served as a four with Tom Izzo adding a center from the portal, it’s not as horrible of an idea as some people make it sound. Forget the “fit”, Townsend would make MSU better.