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Michigan State basketball has real shot to land 5-star SG Anthony Edwards

By Connor Muldowney

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Tom Izzo the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans gives instructions to his team against the Kansas Jayhwaks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Tom Izzo the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans gives instructions to his team against the Kansas Jayhwaks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Just a week after reclassifying to the 2019 class, Anthony Edwards cut his list of schools down to eight, including Michigan State basketball.

A week ago, Michigan State fans probably had hopes of hearing the phrase “Rocket Watts has signed his Letter of Intent” but things in college basketball recruiting change quickly.

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The Spartans are still waiting to hear more on the four-star Watts as he must now wait until spring to sign his LOI, but they’re now in the running for a new guard on the 2019 radar as five-star Anthony Edwards just reclassified a week ago and claimed he would be taking an official to Michigan State.

On Tuesday, he trimmed his list.

The new No. 1 player in the 2019 class cut his list to eight, including Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida State, UCLA, Duke, Kansas and the Spartans. Yes, there are some big boys and blue-bloods in the mix that could give the Spartans trouble and have done so in the past — looking at you, Duke and Kansas.

Edwards just received a visit from Tom Izzo last weekend for one of his high school games, proving that the head coach is going all-in for the five-star.

The No. 1 player in the class stands 6-foot-5 and weighs in at a healthy 215 pounds with a college-ready frame. He can bully opposing guards on his way to the basket and absorb contact, becoming a slashing type that the Spartans need more of.

Making the list of eight schools still in the running is a big move, especially since Izzo probably didn’t expect him to reclassify to 2019, but the Spartans have a real shot here.

I’ll admit, I’m pessimistic here, but if Michigan State can get an official visit, it can push Florida State, the favorite, and programs like Duke and Kansas.

Next. MSU basketball: 10 bold predictions for 2018-19. dark

Michigan State could finish with a top-three class in the nation if it signs Watts, Vernon Carey or Isaiah Stewart and Edwards to join Malik Hall — that’s a long-shot, but still possible.

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