Michigan State basketball is officially in the offseason and here are the three most important tasks for the Spartans.
Michigan State basketball is one week into its offseason, and it’s already begun making some noise. Tom Izzo is already out recruiting and has even been linked to a player in the transfer portal. The start for Izzo this offseason has been solid so far, but there is plenty more work to do.
In what could be the most important offseason in MSU basketball history, here are the three most important things they need to accomplish.
1. Get a starting-caliber center from the portal
After the last two seasons MSU has had, it’s no secret that the Spartans need a new center. Unfortunately there isn’t a freshman coming in who could be a starter down low, so Izzo needs to look in the transfer portal for a new center.
They shouldn’t just look to pick up any center, it needs to be someone who is good enough to be a starter in the Big Ten. Whether Mady Sissoko comes back next season or not, there currently isn’t a Big Ten-caliber starting center on the roster, so MSU’s only option is finding someone in the portal.
There will be a plethora of options available to MSU, but they need to be picky with who they contact. One name to monitor is Pharell Payne from Minnesota. I think MSU could do better than him, but he is someone who would be an upgrade to the roster.
In my opinion, this is the most important thing for MSU this offseason. Regardless of who it is, a new center is needed or else the Spartans likely will be fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives again next season.
2. Get the Michigan State culture back
I think the culture at MSU has taken a big hit these last few seasons. For starters, all the things Michigan State historically does well has been an issue recently. The biggest is rebounding, which MSU has struggled to do effectively in recent years. Their rebounding struggles is one of the main reasons for the past few seasons being a disappointment. So this is a big thing the Spartans need to improve on this offseason.
But I think Michigan State needs to improve the overall off-the-court culture as well. Too many players this past year have cared about individual accomplishments compared to the team’s success. That is one thing we could always count on in the past, the team only caring about winning and not how they get there. I haven’t felt that same feeling recently, so Izzo needs to find a way to get back to that.
3. Develop Xavier Booker
Next year’s squad has a chance to be Xavier Booker’s team. Booker has already said he will be back next year, so no need to worry about that. But what we now need to prioritize his development.
Booker struggled to see the floor most of this season, and that had to do with his play on the defensive end. His offensive abilities have always been there, but his defense, strength and rebounding has kept him off the court. So these are the things he needs to work on so he can become a 25+ minute starter for the team next season.
This team’s ceiling goes up exponentially with Booker on the court, so his development this offseason is the most important. I think he has the potential to have a role similar as Jaren Jackson Jr., and I don’t think anyone would be upset if that’s what Tom Izzo gets out of him.
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