Michigan State Basketball: What are chances with 4-star SF Terry Armstrong?

Michigan State basketball made the top schools list of four-star small forward Terry Armstrong, but what are the Spartans’ chances?

Terry Armstrong grew up in Flint, likely with dreams of playing college ball close to home and having his family come to games. However, that may have all changed when he transferred from Flint Carman-Ainsworth to Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Ariz.

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Michigan State was one of the key figures in his recruitment early on, but Tom Izzo wanted to see more development in him as a player and leader, so he held off on an official scholarship offer.

Fast forward a couple of years and Armstrong holds a Michigan State offer, naming the Spartans in his recent list of top 10 schools. Other programs to make the cut are Mississippi State, Arizona, Arizona State, LSU, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Xavier, Florida State and Oregon.

Yes, Michigan State is the lone school from the Big Ten and just one of two (Xavier being the other) from back home in the Midwest.

So what are the Spartans’ chances to land the four-star small forward?

If you went by 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions alone, you’d be led to believe he’s a lock to Michigan State, which is not the case. Since he transferred to Arizona, the coaching staff hasn’t been able to check in with him as much and he’s developed strong relationships locally.

Moreover, he’s able to visit the likes of Arizona, Arizona State, New Mexico and even Oregon easier than he is Michigan State. That could have an impact on the recruitment as well.

Don’t believe that 100 percent Crystal Ball to MSU, but the Spartans are hoping for a commitment — why else would they offer back in May?

If I were to place a percentage on Michigan State’s chances, I’d say they sit at about 20-30 percent. Arizona is a strong competitor here and he recently took a visit to Tucson. He was also recently in Tempe visiting Arizona State.

The Spartans have a lot of work to do here, but if they can get him back for an official, much ground will be made up.

Armstrong is the No. 55 overall player in the class and 16th-best small forward, per 247Sports. He’s the No. 2 player in the state of Arizona for the 2019 class.