For the first time since last offseason, Tom Izzo and Michigan State could be in the market for a backcourt transfer. After losing Divine Ugochukwu on Wednesday morning, the Spartans could be looking for a replacement.
And there’s one interesting name on the market: Tre Holloman.
Izzo originally landed Ugochukwu to replace Holloman last offseason, so maybe the former Spartan could return the favor and replace the Miami transfer.
The real hold-up here? A fifth year waiver. Michigan State’s priority is also the center position and I’m not so sure that targeting another guard who can play 10-15 minutes — max — in the transfer portal is going to be the move for Izzo. He’s already going to have a tough time finding minutes for Jasiah Jervis, Jordan Scott, Kur Teng, and Carlos Medlock Jr. in the backcourt.
The only way I could see Izzo considering the return of Holloman is if he expects Medlock Jr. or Jervis to come along slowly as freshmen. If he expects them both to play big minutes, then it wouldn’t make much sense.
So do I believe that Holloman is a legitimate option for Michigan State? I think the door is at least cracked, but I don’t see Izzo as a guy who backslides and re-adds a guy who up and left his program.
Michigan State could decide to run it back
Let’s say that Holloman does become a target for Izzo and the Spartans and the Hall of Famer looks into a fifth year for him and Carson Cooper. Imagine both guys return to the roster next season. That’s a legitimate national title-caliber roster.
Before you say that you wouldn’t want Holloman, just consider how big of a piece he would have been to the 2025-26 team. He very well could have been the difference between that Sweet 16 exit and a Final Four berth. His shooting and ability to play the one and two would have given Michigan State the offense it needed as well as a lockdown defender.
However, does Izzo even look the way of a guy who willingly chose Will Wade and NC State over Izzo and Michigan State? I’m not so sure.
Cooper should be the top priority for fifth-year waivers.
I don’t see Izzo reaching back into the Holloman bag, but it’s something I guess we can’t truly rule out until the former Spartan guard officially find a new home.
An East Lansing reunion wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. I think everyone would take 10 points per game and a 40 percent 3-point shooter.
Don’t hold your breath, Spartan fans.
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