Who will start at center this upcoming season for Michigan State basketball and what will the minutes look like?
This group has no new faces but should be much improved from last season until now. Michigan State basketball brings back all three centers: Mady Sissoko, Jaxon Kohler, and Carson Cooper.
This position group was overmatched with loaded big men on every single Big Ten team a year ago. But this group should find themselves much improved with all the experience gathered last season.
Starter
Mady Sissoko will be the starter again this year due to his ability to rebound and defend. When Mady is active defensively he turns this team from good to great. I wouldn’t expect him to become a major offensive threat outside of the rim run and lob threat, but MSU doesn’t need much more than that from him. Expect Mady to become better against the pick-and-roll and as a point-of-attack defender with another year under his belt.
Michigan State fans should expect Mady to play 22 minutes per game and average five points and seven-plus rebounds per game.
Backups
Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper will be the backups and will split the other 18 minutes per game. These minutes will be dependent on matchups as well as foul trouble.
Kohler will be the main low post scorer as he is the big guy who has the most experience in the low post. He should be more efficient with a year under his belt. If Jaxon can become a better pick-and-roll defender, he could find himself playing extended minutes. Jaxon should play around 6-12 minutes per game due to different matchups as well as foul trouble.
Cooper may be the sophomore that I’m most excited about. He is an extremely smart defender, and it shows in his ability to pick up the different pick-and-roll defenses that MSU runs. Cooper has the athleticism and length to bother offensive players. His offensive game can definitely improve but if you can’t defend for Tom Izzo then you won’t play. Cooper’s ability to run the floor and be a lob threat puts pressure on the rim for opposing defenders. If Cooper can develop a post-game or a midrange game will help his offensive game extremely. He can expect anywhere from 6-12 minutes per game.
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