State of the Program: 

Once again Tom Izzo proved why he’s the best HC in the country at getting his guys to be playing their best basketball when March hits. Sparty was a 7 seed that made a run to the Sweet 16, falling in an absolute thriller in OT to Kansas St. A team that was 11-8 in Big Ten play, rounded into form just in time to go on a run, an Izzo story as old as time. Now that group welcomes back nearly everyone from last season’s group, with the lone major loss Joey Hauser. They also bring in one of the most talented FR classes the Conference has to offer with 3 of the top-33 recruits, including 5-star big man Xavier Booker. All of that makes it pretty clear Sparty should enter this season as a top-10 team and one of the favorites to get to the Final 4 next season. They have one of the best returning backcourts in the Country with Hoggard/Walker/Akins, and a potential one-and-done beast inside with Booker, so they should be a problem from the jump this season. They do unfortunately have to go through Zach Edey to claim a Conference Championship, which proved difficult a season ago as they were 0-2 against the Boilers. The Big Ten should be even stronger at the top this season, but Izzo and co. should absolutely enter the season with Conference and National title expectations. 

What’s New: 

Freshman Class:

   Xavier Booker

Booker comes to East Lansing with an outrageous amount of potential as he’s listed anywhere from 6’10” to 7′ with incredible mobility for his size. He is not your typical back to the basket punisher inside, as he really is most impressive in transition and on straight line drives. He’s going to be more dangerous as a face-up and attack off the bounce guy as well as just slashing/rolling to the rim. What really could turn him into a lottery pick is his jumper though, as it shows promise from the left side and could turn him into a really good NBA player. All of this is on top of his obvious ability to change the game defensively as a shot blocker as his length and quickness inside will make him formidable. I think by March he’s starting for Sparty, and possibly game 1 of the season. [Comp – Jaren Jackson Jr]

  Jeremy Fears

Fears is a freak athlete that comes to Sparty with a very high ceiling. He has great explosiveness as an athlete and is deadly in transition. He prides himself as a floor general style PG, but seems to excel when attacking the basket to score. I would liken him to an Ayo Dosunmu, not lethal as a jump shooter just yet, but has the quickness and creativity to get the rim and score through and around defenders. If he’s engaged defensively he could be a menace as well, that will be up to him, but he’s shown ability to block shots and get in passing lanes. He will be buried in his first year behind Hoggard, Walker and Akins but should still serve as a primary option off the bench. [Comp – Ayo Dosunmu]

   Coen Carr

As if the last two newcomers weren’t freakish enough, Carr eclipses them both athletically, as he has a highlight reel of dunks to rival the best HS dunkers I’ve ever seen. He also shows ability to hit stand still 3’s from the left side, but makes his money attacking downhill and frankly dunking over everyone. If he gets to the rim, he’s going up to throw it down. Listed as a PF here, I would think he slots better into the 3 spot, especially at the next level. His bounce also allows him to block shots and be a menace defensively as well. He may need a year or two to get to the next level, but his athleticism and ability to hit the highlight reel in transition should see him be a 1st round pick someday. If he even shows a semblance of being able to hit jumpers, he could be a lottery pick. [Comp – OG Anunoby] 

Gehrig Normand

Normand comes to East Lansing as just a solid all-around prospect, not elite in any one category but can do a little bit of everything. He has a nice looking jump shot but also shows the ability to take defenders off the bounce and create for both himself and teammates. He’s not the quickest, but is crafty and can get to his spots. I do think he’s athletic enough to hang in major conference basketball defensively, and should be a really productive player for Sparty someday. His ceiling is probably an all-conference guy, maybe a 2nd round pick someday. I doubt he plays much this year, may even redshirt, but he certainly will be a name we know in the Big Ten down the road. [Comp – Sam Dekker] 

2023-24 Prediction

[B10 #2] [National #7]

It’s kind of rinse and repeat for Tom Izzo and Michigan St as they continue to reload year after year. They enter this year with a great returning class mixed with a very promising FR class as well. Booker, Fears and Carr could all be contributors and push the veteran guys for playing time, especially as February and March hit. Obviously, having 4 out of 5 starters back with Malik Hall also back to fill in the 5th spot they are universally a top-10 team pre-season. Especially coming off of a Sweet 16 run they are very clearly one of the favorites to cut nets down this season. I think their ceiling will be determined by just how good these Freshman can be by January and through March. Now, the negative, they were a 7 seed last year for a reason, and most of that was being bad defensively. They ended the season 42nd on defense, but their 2 wins in the tourney they held USC/Marquette to less than 1 point per possession. The Kansas St loss things got off the rails, but a continuation of playing better defense, especially with the length and athleticism they’ve added in this FR class they could be a real problem. We all know Izzo will have the squad playing great by March, but he may not have as much progress to make with so much experience returning. Malik Hall is also a candidate to have a breakout season, as he’s shown flashes of being an All-Conference guy but has struggled with injuries. Sparty should be right there with Purdue atop the Big Ten, and with Izzo at the helm should be a favorite to make a deep run in March. 

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