First, eight players return for Michigan State. And all of them should see the floor this season. Jaden Akins (10 ppg, 4 rpg) is the leading scorer among returners. Akins was hyped as a possible breakout guy going into last season. But his three-point percentage dropped off. Meanwhile, the rest of his College basketball betting numbers stayed about the same. With the three guys above Akins in the scoring column having departed, a breakout for Akins isn’t much of a hope. Especially compared to Izzo’s squad must compete at the top of the Big Ten.
2024-25 Michigan State Spartans Basketball Preview
| Michigan State Spartans | Odds |
|---|---|
| National Championship Odds: | +6000 |
2024-25 Michigan State Spartans Basketball Outlook
Certainly, Tom Izzo has been one of the great coaches of this offshore bookmaker generation. But the past few seasons at Michigan State haven’t quite gone as planned. Four straight tournament berths are great. But just one Sweet 16 appearance and zero years with a seed better than seven aren’t the expectations at Michigan State. Of course, Tom Izzo is reaching the twilight of his career. Hence, his 2024-25 squad could be one of his last chances to compete in March. Izzo lightly used the portal this offseason, putting heavy trust in the players coming back.
Tre Holloman (6 ppg) returns in the backcourt after a solid sophomore season. Previously, he contributed a bit of everything off the bench for the Spartans. Jeremy Fears Jr. (4 ppg, 3 apg) is perhaps the returner with the most NCAABB betting hype. He was showing great potential as a freshman before his season was cut short. Cause by being shot in the leg while at home over winter break. Fears didn’t shoot the ball much himself. But he averaged over three assists in 15 mpg, and that number could double if he finds himself in the starting point guard role.
Redshirt freshman Gehrig Normand is the final returner for the Spartans in the backcourt. Correlate that he is preparing to play his first games under Izzo after spending a year in practice.
Also, the Spartans’ front court returns their fair share of production going into 2024-25. Xavier Booker (4 ppg, 2 rpg) didn’t see as many minutes as he and many fans would’ve hoped as a freshman. But his impact over the last eight games was something to get excited about. Along with the backcourt trio, Booker is a guy who could break out for the Spartans with lots of production to replace.
Yet another Coen Carr (3 ppg) is another young returner for the Spartans. Carr is a wing with highlight-reel athleticism that could also see a boost in productivity. Juniors Carson Cooper (3 ppg, 4 rpg) and Jaxon Kohler (2 ppg) will both be guys that can give Izzo minutes in the frontcourt. Specifically, they are solid backup options at the four and five.
Of great concern is that four players left Michigan State this offseason. All of whom had big impacts on the team’s success. Tyson Walker (18 ppg, 3 apg) gave Izzo three strong seasons in the backcourt. Following a transfer from Northeastern. He is a true veteran who won some games by himself for the Spartans.
Also leaving was AJ Hoggard (11 ppg, 5 apg), heading to Vanderbilt for his final year of eligibility. In the frontcourt, Malik Hall (13 ppg, 6 rpg) ran out of eligibility after five strong seasons at Michigan State. Meanwhile, center Mady Sissoko (3 ppg, 5 rpg) transferred to Cal for his final season.