Michigan State men's basketball finished with a record of 19-14 overall and 10-10 in Big Ten play last season.
Despite being a top-five team in preseason, it was a disappointing season overall. This year it's the opposite. There aren't many expectations for the Spartans to win or even make the Final Four. With the departure of Tyson Walker, Malik Hall, AJ Hoggard and Madi Sissoko, other players on the roster will have a chance to shine and take over from Spartans coach Tom Izzo.
Michigan State guard Tre Holloman has shown his talent as a starting guard in the BigTen. Throughout the season, Holloman ended up playing more minutes as freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr. missed the remainder of the season with a gunshot injury. So Coach Izzo needed Holloman to step up, and he delivered.
Holloman showed off his passing ability, confidence in his shooting ability and aggressiveness going to the basket. One of his best games was in the conference tournament where Michigan State defeated Minnesota 77-67. Holloman didn't put up amazing numbers, scoring just nine points in 21 minutes, but he looked comfortable as a point guard and was a defensive presence on the perimeter, making two key steals and a block. .
Spartan center Xavier Booker was a McDonald's All-American and a consensus top-10 player coming out of high school. Many Michigan State fans wanted Booker to start, but Izzo sat him on the bench. His talent was never an issue for Booker. That was due to his weight and how thin he was, as his weight was listed at 215 pounds when he first came to campus.
Since then, Booker has gained about 20 pounds and logged more significant minutes during the season. Next season should be a big one for Booker. With Sissoko and Hall gone, Booker will be competing for the starting spot with new Michigan State transfer center Simon Zapala.
Both centers have a chance to give the Spartans a unique type of player since Jaren Jackson Jr. in 2018.
Winger Jaden Akins was a player who was always out of position during his time with the Spartans. Akins will always be placed at the small forward position, sharing the court with Walker and Hoggard, all-conference guards. Akins is a good defender and overall player, but when he's a 6-4 small forward and has to guard a big wing player, he's tough to defend.
As a result, Akins was always removed from the offense and restricted to being a catch-and-shoot player along the 3-point line. With the addition of transfer wing Frankie Fiddler this season, Akins won't have to worry about moving out of position and will be able to play shooting guard. This is a good position for him to develop and at the same time be given the keys to become the Spartans' key scorer.
These three players will be key for Michigan State next season. If the Spartans want to get back to the Final Four and win Izzo's second championship, they need to step up. If so, another banner could be hung at Breslin Center.
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