Michigan State Basketball: Could 5-star C Moussa Cisse be serious 2021 option?

Tom Izzo has been on the recruiting trail and he’s paying a visit to five-star center Moussa Cisse. Could he be an option for Michigan State basketball?

Less than a week after taking a trip to see Karim Mane, a five-star guard from the 2020 class, Tom Izzo went south to visit five-star center Moussa Cisse from Memphis.

Cisse, ranked the No. 9 player in the 2021 recruiting class, according to 247Sports, would be a welcomed addition to a team looking to add rim protectors and a solid post presence for years to come.

Xavier Tillman has assumed that role this season, but has struggled at times to score with his back to the basket and his moves down low aren’t polished. He has also been pushed around defensively and that has probably forced Izzo to reconsider the depth he has down low. Guys like Thomas Kithier, Marcus Bingham Jr. and Malik Hall are solid, but they need big centers.

That’s where Cisse would come in to play.

The five-star junior is a 6-9, 200-pound beast who can get up to block shots at the basket and grab rebounds. He’s aggressive down low and creates second-chance opportunities with his rebounding abilities.

Cisse could afford to add some weight to his frame, but he already looks to be filling out nicely and he’ll probably be even bigger before he gets to the collegiate level.

Right now, Izzo will be fighting it out with Penny Hardaway and Memphis for his services since that’s the hometown team. Hardaway has also done a great job recruiting with the Tigers and many believe Cisse is a lock. Izzo is trying to change that and any time you have “Hall of Fame coach” on your resume, it’s possible.

A frontcourt with Cisse and Mady Sissoko a couple of years down the line with Malik Hall on the wing with the ability to play down low is terrifying for opponents.