Projecting Michigan State basketball's 2023-24 roster, starting lineup, rotation
After reaching the 'Sweet Sixteen' this past season, Michigan State has its sights set on bigger goals for 2023-24.
The Spartans add the nation's No. 3 recruiting class to a group which returns a lot of experience. There has already been some roster turnover, however. Sophomore guard Pierre Brooks has announced intentions to enter the transfer portal, and graduate senior Joey Hauser is not expected to return.
So, what will Michigan State's roster, starting lineup and rotation look like? Let's dig in:
Starting Lineup
- Point Guard — A.J. Hoggard (Sr.)
- Shooting Guard — Tyson Walker (Graduate)
- Small Forward — Jaden Akins (Jr.)
- Power Forward — Malik Hall (Graduate)
- Center — Jaxon Kohler or Carson Cooper (Sophomore)
This is what I see Michigan State rolling out as its starters to begin the year.
Until we hear otherwise, I'm operating under the assumption that both Tyson Walker and Malik Hall will return for fifth years in 2023-24. That creates a log jam at the guard spots, and I am curious to see how head coach Tom Izzo manages that. It's hard to imagine that Hoggard, Walker and Akins won't all be starters next season.
The biggest change here is one of the freshman centers, Jaxon Kohler or Carson Cooper, supplanting senior Mady Sissoko in the starting lineup. I think it was pretty well proven last year that Sissoko is a role player, not a starter.
Kohler is the better offensive player, while Cooper is the better defender. We'll see which of those two guys will take a bigger step this offseason. I predict whichever guy does that to be the starter in 2023-24.
Rotation Players
- Point Guard — Tre Holloman (Sophomore)
- Shooting Guard — Jeremy Fears (Freshman)
- Small Forward — Coen Carr (Freshman)
- Power Forward — Xavier Booker (Freshman)
- Center — Mady Sissoko (Senior)
It's going to be difficult for five guards to be part of the rotation with Hoggard, Walker, Akins, Holloman and Fears. If Walker is back, we already know that he, Hoggard and Akins will all play heavy minutes.
That leaves a battle between Holloman and Fears for minutes. In 2022-23, Holloman got his feet wet playing 8.6 minutes per game. He was pretty darn good defensively, though struggled with fouls a bit. Offensively, Holloman has some work to do after shooting 38.6% from the floor and 23.1% from 3-point range.
Meanwhile, Fears comes in with a lot of hype. He's a five-star prospect and ranked No. 24 overall in his class. As a high school senior, he averaged 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. There's a lot to be excited about with Fears, who looks like the point guard of the future at MSU. The question is, how big of a role will he play in 2023-24? Does that come at the expense of Holloman?
Moving on, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that four-star small forward Coen Carr (No. 53 overall prospect) will make the biggest impact on the Spartans in 2023-24. Carr is a phenomenal athlete, and he plays a position that is a major need for MSU at small forward.
Even if Malik Hall stays healthy, Michigan State has a minutes vacuum to fill with Hauser's departure. I see Carr as that guy.
Everyone knows about Xavier Booker, the five-star hype machine who ranks No. 8 nationally. He's a huge get for Izzo and the Spartans in the 2023 class, but his ranking is based more on potential than where he's at as a basketball player right now. I'm not trying to downplay the impact that Booker could make, but its important to have reasonable expectations. I don't think Booker is an immediate addition to Michigan State's starting lineup, especially if Hall and/or Walker return.
Finally, I think we're going to see a rotation at center much like we saw in 2022-23. I think one of the rising sophomores will be the starter, with Sissoko and the other sophomore rotating in.
Rest Of The Roster
- Small Forward — Gehrid Normand (Freshman)
- Guard — Steven Izzo (Graduate)
- Guard — Davis Smith (Senior)
- Guard — Nick Sanders (Sophomore)
Four-star small forward Gehrig Normand (No. 104 prospect) has the chance to be a really good player here, but I don't see him getting a lot of minutes as a freshman, especially if Walker and Hall return. With that being said, Normand reminds me a lot of former Spartan Matt McQuaid and his role should grow throughout his career.
Meanwhile, the trio of Davis Smith, Steven Izzo and Nick Sanders remain Michigan State's honorary "game-finishers" when the outcome is well in hand in the closing minutes.
