Michigan State basketball now favorite to land 5-star C Isaiah Stewart?

With Vernon Carey Jr. announcing that he’d be attending Duke next fall, Michigan State basketball could be the favorite for Isaiah Stewart.

When Vernon Carey Jr. pulled out the pocket square out of his suit jacket, it already felt over. You could see the small Duke logo in the middle of it with a huge grin on his face, signaling the end of Michigan State’s hopes in the Carey Jr. sweepstakes.

It hurt. Michigan State seemed like the team to beat for a couple of weeks and then Duke went all Duke again, beating the Spartans out for yet another top-tier recruit.

Joining Duke wasn’t all that big of a shot seeing as Carey Jr. would likely be featured wherever he went, and why not pick a school that consistently sends bigs to the league via the NBA lottery?

While some may still be in denial, it’s never too early to talk about “what’s next?” for the Spartans.

Tom Izzo did an excellent job in this recruitment, but like he has on the hardwood, Coach K beat him out yet again.

Michigan State still has an excellent shot to land the No. 6 player in the country, five-star center Isaiah Stewart from Rochester, N.Y., who is currently playing for La Lumiere — the same school that helped produce Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Spartans.

With Carey Jr.’s commitment to Duke, it now seems fair to assume the Spartans have become the leaders to land Stewart.

While Stewart and Carey Jr. have admitted they’re not opposed to playing alongside elite big men, the chances of them both going to the same school was slim — even if it is Duke. The Blue Devils and Spartans were widely considered the two favorites to land these two guys and since Duke got Carey Jr., the common assumption is that Stewart is East Lansing-bound.

That’s a fair assumption, but there’s still plenty of time left in that recruitment and he could still be shopping. The Spartans are the Crystal Ball leaders for him at 44 percent with Duke at 31, so there’s a good chance Carey Jr.’s decision helps the Spartans.

If you’re looking for a silver lining after the Carey Jr. announcement, here it is, folks. All is not lost just yet, as Stewart still has to make a decision, and he’s every bit as talented as the newest Blue Devil.