Michigan State basketball: Pros and cons of ESPN's 2023-24 expectations

Michigan State basketball: Pros and cons of ESPN’s 2023-24 preseason expectations

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 23: Jaxon Kohler #0 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts with his teammates on the bench against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half in the Sweet 16 round game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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Mar 23, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts from the sideline in the game against the Kansas State Wildcats in the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: If not now, when?

I truly believe that these next 2-3 years will be Tom Izzo’s best chance at a second title. It’s his best string of recruiting classes in a long time and there’s plenty of talent already on this roster.

Izzo’s stubbornness can both be part of what makes him great and also what can keep him from being the all-time best. We begged him to get an athletic big in the portal and it kills us to wonder what this team would have looked like with an inside offensive presence and a rim protector to go along with the Big Ten’s best 3-point defending team.

Well, he’s getting one now with Xavier Booker.

The depth at guard (especially if Tyson Walker comes back) may be the best in a decade, maybe better than the trio of Denzel Valentine, Bryn Forbes, and Travis Trice.

The depth at the front court, while not as talented, can still be a plus if Mady Sissoko, Carson Cooper, and Jaxon Kohler all get consistently better, not even leaps and bounds better. While we still have seven months before this squad takes the court, but doesn’t it feel like this is it?

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