Michigan State basketball: Projected starting 5 with Malik Hall returning

With the 1-4 set thanks to the returns of Malik Hall and Tyson Walker, there’s going to be some debate about the 5-spot. Will it be Mady Sissoko who started all year there in 2022-23 in his first season averaging more than 5.4 minutes per game or will Tom Izzo go with Carson Cooper or Jaxon Kohler based on upside?

Right now, I’d say Sissoko just purely based on the fact that he grew more than people expected as a junior and if he can make a similar jump prior to his senior year, he could put up somewhere around 8-10 points and 8-10 rebounds per game. That’s a big if, however.

Sissoko averaged 5.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this past season while blocking 0.8 shots per game. I see another step in the right direction next year.

But I also think that Kohler and Cooper will have larger roles because it’s the same exact center rotation and there will be 40 minutes to split between the three. If Mady plays 21 minutes per game again, so be it, but there won’t be a need for that.

If Mady improves that defense again and adds some post moves, I like what Michigan State’s center position brings to the table.