- Joined
- Jan 6, 2015
- Messages
- 8,041
- Reaction Score
- 67,394
After making their first Elite Eight since 2019, Michigan State is amidst a bit of a rebuilding season with the unfortunate loss of Kaleb Glenn — the 6’7 FAU transfer who averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds per game while nailing 41% of his three-point attempts — which opens up a battle for his starting spot after he was ruled out for the season with a preseason torn patellar tendon.
With Glenn’s loss, Michigan State loses arguably its best perimeter scorer. Still, a team like Michigan State — regularly one of the least voluminous three-point shooting teams — will continue to focus on its bread and butter for as long as Izzo has been at the helm: excellent defense, two-way rebounding, and an interior-centric offense.
With their top three scorers — Jaden Akins, Jase Richardson, and Tre Holloman — all departed, Michigan State’s backcourt will be centered around pass-first point guard Jeremy Fears and transfer additions Trey Fort III (Samford), Divine Ugochukwu (Miami), as well as former four-star sophomore Kur Teng.
Jeremy Fears: 6-2, 190, redshirt sophomore — 7.2 ppg, 5.4 apg, 1.1 spg
Finishing last year third in the Big Ten with a 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio, Fears has already shown that he is one of the more poised and intelligent point guards in the nation. However, after working back from a gunshot wound in December 2023, Fears’ athleticism was limited, and it also affected his shooting precision. It would not be surprising if the now fully healthy Fears improved his overall game and increased his offensive output as a scorer. According to EvanMiya.com, Fears was Michigan State’s best defender.
Kur Teng: 6-4, 190, sophomore — former #36 prospect, 2.9 mpg
Izzo believes Teng’s shooting is his most game-ready trait, but improvements to his defense, strength, and ball security will be necessary for him to earn a starting spot over Fort III and Ugochukwu. Like Hurley, if you can’t play defense for Tom Izzo, you’re not playing.
Trey Fort III: 6-4, 200, graduate transfer from Samford — 14.6 ppg, 38% 3P
Plain and simple, Fort III is MSU’s instant offense, whether he starts or comes off the bench. More of a volume scorer at Samford, Izzo is looking for Fort III to improve his shot selection, while also praising his strength and size — calling him the second-best athlete on the team.
Divine Ugochukwu: 6-3, 190, sophomore transfer from Miami — 5.2 ppg, 2.3 apg, 1 spg, 18% 3P, 48% FG
Despite his poor three-point metrics, Tom Izzo has raved about Ugochukwu’s shooting improvement this summer, as the sophomore shot a remarkable 61% from inside the arc last season. Ugochukwu can play both the 1 and the 2 and has a shot at starting alongside Fears. Izzo has mentioned that his strength, motor, and toughness are areas for improvement — which, to me, makes this a somewhat surprising pickup for Izzo.
Overall, considering this group lacks high-end impact, especially in scoring, I would expect Izzo to primarily run two-guard looks this year instead of the three-guard sets from last season.
With Kaleb Glenn out for the year, high-flying junior Coen Carr will likely get most of his minutes at the 3 rather than as a small-ball 4, as he did last season. This means Michigan State’s lineups will be bigger than last year.
Coen Carr: 6-6, 225, junior — 8.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.7 bpg, 15 three-point attempts, 61% FG
Starting his career as a high-flying dunker, the left-handed Carr is easily one of the best athletes in the nation. With the prospect of a much higher offensive role this season, Carr is looking to improve his ball-handling and shooting in order to take the next step in his game. Carr is also a strong defender, so having him at small forward could make his defensive impact even greater.
Jaxon Kohler: 6-9, 245, senior — 7.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 37% 3P, 0.8 bpg, 52% FG
Two outlets have projected Kohler to be one of the breakout players in the Big Ten after finishing last season as a solid, all-around forward. With enough skill to play the 4, Kohler could replace Glenn as the team’s power forward alongside another big, while also having the size and defensive presence to play inside. In the best shape of his career, the senior is expected to seize the day and make his final season his best, especially given his strong defensive metrics — he finished last season as the team’s second-best defensive forward.
Carson Cooper: 6-11, 245, senior — 5.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.6 bpg, 60% FG, 0 3PA
While Kohler has an inside-out game, Cooper is more of a classic low-post center whose strengths are rebounding and defense, though he is still refining his finishing skills around the rim. Cooper could get some starts at center with Kohler at the 4, but at the very least, he will be the team’s top backup big.
Cam Ward: 6-8, 225, freshman
Of Michigan State’s two frontcourt freshmen, Izzo says Ward is the most college-ready, calling him a “bull in a china closet” and a “classic Michigan State forward.” His rebounding and defense are game-ready, but his ball skills and shooting need work. Bottom line: Ward can guard both the 4 and 5 spots.
Jordan Scott: 6-7, 190, freshman
Scott joins Michigan State as an excellent shooter, but his poor upper-body strength and other “freshman characteristics” (my term, not Izzo’s) make him more of a developmental piece in terms of overall impact. Izzo compares Scott to Max Christie — a lean player who eventually developed into a strong defender.
Jesse McCullouch: 6-10, 240, redshirt freshman
After redshirting last season as a developmental piece, Izzo has been pleasantly surprised with McCullouch’s growth, calling him “our surprise guy.” Bringing classic Izzo-style rebounding grit, McCullouch also has shooting ability from the perimeter. With that combination, McCullouch will not only get minutes as a backup 5 but could also appear in two-big lineups.
Overall, I love this matchup for an exhibition game. Yes, this is not Izzo’s most skilled Michigan State team, but it’s big, physical, and already has a strong defensive floor and I like playing against a tough, well-coached team.
With Carr getting most of the minutes at the 3, there should be plenty of rotations with three bigger players on the floor. Izzo’s teams tend to trend upward as the season progresses, so we’re likely seeing Michigan State at its floor — but I love this physical test for the Huskies, especially with Tarris out.
With Glenn’s loss, Michigan State loses arguably its best perimeter scorer. Still, a team like Michigan State — regularly one of the least voluminous three-point shooting teams — will continue to focus on its bread and butter for as long as Izzo has been at the helm: excellent defense, two-way rebounding, and an interior-centric offense.
With their top three scorers — Jaden Akins, Jase Richardson, and Tre Holloman — all departed, Michigan State’s backcourt will be centered around pass-first point guard Jeremy Fears and transfer additions Trey Fort III (Samford), Divine Ugochukwu (Miami), as well as former four-star sophomore Kur Teng.
BACKCOURT
Jeremy Fears: 6-2, 190, redshirt sophomore — 7.2 ppg, 5.4 apg, 1.1 spg
Finishing last year third in the Big Ten with a 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio, Fears has already shown that he is one of the more poised and intelligent point guards in the nation. However, after working back from a gunshot wound in December 2023, Fears’ athleticism was limited, and it also affected his shooting precision. It would not be surprising if the now fully healthy Fears improved his overall game and increased his offensive output as a scorer. According to EvanMiya.com, Fears was Michigan State’s best defender.
Kur Teng: 6-4, 190, sophomore — former #36 prospect, 2.9 mpg
Izzo believes Teng’s shooting is his most game-ready trait, but improvements to his defense, strength, and ball security will be necessary for him to earn a starting spot over Fort III and Ugochukwu. Like Hurley, if you can’t play defense for Tom Izzo, you’re not playing.
Trey Fort III: 6-4, 200, graduate transfer from Samford — 14.6 ppg, 38% 3P
Plain and simple, Fort III is MSU’s instant offense, whether he starts or comes off the bench. More of a volume scorer at Samford, Izzo is looking for Fort III to improve his shot selection, while also praising his strength and size — calling him the second-best athlete on the team.
Divine Ugochukwu: 6-3, 190, sophomore transfer from Miami — 5.2 ppg, 2.3 apg, 1 spg, 18% 3P, 48% FG
Despite his poor three-point metrics, Tom Izzo has raved about Ugochukwu’s shooting improvement this summer, as the sophomore shot a remarkable 61% from inside the arc last season. Ugochukwu can play both the 1 and the 2 and has a shot at starting alongside Fears. Izzo has mentioned that his strength, motor, and toughness are areas for improvement — which, to me, makes this a somewhat surprising pickup for Izzo.
Overall, considering this group lacks high-end impact, especially in scoring, I would expect Izzo to primarily run two-guard looks this year instead of the three-guard sets from last season.
With Kaleb Glenn out for the year, high-flying junior Coen Carr will likely get most of his minutes at the 3 rather than as a small-ball 4, as he did last season. This means Michigan State’s lineups will be bigger than last year.
FRONTCOURT
Coen Carr: 6-6, 225, junior — 8.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.7 bpg, 15 three-point attempts, 61% FG
Starting his career as a high-flying dunker, the left-handed Carr is easily one of the best athletes in the nation. With the prospect of a much higher offensive role this season, Carr is looking to improve his ball-handling and shooting in order to take the next step in his game. Carr is also a strong defender, so having him at small forward could make his defensive impact even greater.
Jaxon Kohler: 6-9, 245, senior — 7.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 37% 3P, 0.8 bpg, 52% FG
Two outlets have projected Kohler to be one of the breakout players in the Big Ten after finishing last season as a solid, all-around forward. With enough skill to play the 4, Kohler could replace Glenn as the team’s power forward alongside another big, while also having the size and defensive presence to play inside. In the best shape of his career, the senior is expected to seize the day and make his final season his best, especially given his strong defensive metrics — he finished last season as the team’s second-best defensive forward.
Carson Cooper: 6-11, 245, senior — 5.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.6 bpg, 60% FG, 0 3PA
While Kohler has an inside-out game, Cooper is more of a classic low-post center whose strengths are rebounding and defense, though he is still refining his finishing skills around the rim. Cooper could get some starts at center with Kohler at the 4, but at the very least, he will be the team’s top backup big.
Cam Ward: 6-8, 225, freshman
Of Michigan State’s two frontcourt freshmen, Izzo says Ward is the most college-ready, calling him a “bull in a china closet” and a “classic Michigan State forward.” His rebounding and defense are game-ready, but his ball skills and shooting need work. Bottom line: Ward can guard both the 4 and 5 spots.
Jordan Scott: 6-7, 190, freshman
Scott joins Michigan State as an excellent shooter, but his poor upper-body strength and other “freshman characteristics” (my term, not Izzo’s) make him more of a developmental piece in terms of overall impact. Izzo compares Scott to Max Christie — a lean player who eventually developed into a strong defender.
Jesse McCullouch: 6-10, 240, redshirt freshman
After redshirting last season as a developmental piece, Izzo has been pleasantly surprised with McCullouch’s growth, calling him “our surprise guy.” Bringing classic Izzo-style rebounding grit, McCullouch also has shooting ability from the perimeter. With that combination, McCullouch will not only get minutes as a backup 5 but could also appear in two-big lineups.
Overall, I love this matchup for an exhibition game. Yes, this is not Izzo’s most skilled Michigan State team, but it’s big, physical, and already has a strong defensive floor and I like playing against a tough, well-coached team.
With Carr getting most of the minutes at the 3, there should be plenty of rotations with three bigger players on the floor. Izzo’s teams tend to trend upward as the season progresses, so we’re likely seeing Michigan State at its floor — but I love this physical test for the Huskies, especially with Tarris out.
Last edited:
