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Michigan State Recruiting: Ranking Tom Izzo’s biggest misses

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) claps and reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at HP Field House. Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cliff Alexander (2) claps and reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at HP Field House. Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 82-67. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Tyus Jones (5) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Tyus Jones (5) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men /

Now we start getting into the more devastating misses. Tyus Jones, who was a package deal with another kid who made this list, ended up at Duke after giving the Spartans serious consideration, even taking a trip East Lansing and receiving multiple visits from head coach Tom Izzo.

Ultimately, the five-star point guard’s choice was between Kansas and Duke, but the Blue Devils won out. At one point in time, though, he looked like he’d be the Spartans’ ‘Plan A’ point guard in the class of 2014, but he became the first of multiple misses that year. The 2014 class had the potential to be Izzo’s best, but it fell drastically short.

Jones was the eighth-ranked prospect in the class as well as the second-best point guard, according to 247Sports. He had the Spartans in his top eight and the relationship between him and Izzo was sincere and played a huge role into his interest in MSU.

The worst aspect of missing on Jones was that it left Michigan State without a point guard in the class of 2014 and that’s the year Tum Tum Nairn came in as a ‘Plan C’ type of guy, but ultimately won the hearts of Spartans everywhere with his tenacity, eventually becoming a captain in 2015.

What did Jones do at Duke in his one season? Oh, just win a national title and beat Michigan State in the Final Four. He averaged 11.8 points and 5.6 assists per game, getting drafted 24th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2015 NBA Draft.

The rookie point guard is averaging 4.1 points and 2.7 assists with Minnesota.

Next: 6. Tyler Ulis

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