Divine Ugochukwu’s decision to leave Michigan State and enter the transfer portal on Wednesday had some ripple effects. Not only did it mean that Michigan State’s backcourt rotation would immediately change and allow for more minutes for younger guys, but it also meant that there would be an extra spot open on the roster.
Tom Izzo was already planning on adding a transfer center, but even he was caught off guard by Ugochukwu’s decision at the last minute. Now, he has to decide what to do with that last spot.
There’s zero chance that Izzo uses it on another guard, even if Tre Holloman were to say that he wants to return. I just don’t think he wants to deal with that logjam again, and it would be next to impossible to find a combo guard who’d be willing to split time with five other guys.
That means that Izzo could use it on another post player. He could address the power forward spot after landing Anton Bonke on Wednesday afternoon, but Cam Ward, Julius Avent, and Kaleb Glenn will have that spot locked down and both Jesse McCulloch and Coen Carr could slide over and play the four as well. I don’t see him crowding the four, but it’s possible if he’d rather have Carr and Glenn play exclusively at the three.
However, I do see him spending another scholarship on the right five. That right five could be none other than Carson Cooper who could very well return for a fifth year if the NCAA rules him eligible.
That wouldn’t have been possible after Bonke committed unless another spot opened up. Fortunately (or unfortunately), Ugochukwu opened one up for a potential Cooper return.
Divine Ugochukwu, Michigan State can both benefit
Again, it didn’t seem like it at the time, but Ugochukwu transferring out may not be the worst thing for both sides.
Ugochukwu is going to get more minutes and probably more money elsewhere so that’s going to be a winning scenario for him, but Michigan State could benefit if Izzo decides to use the open scholarship on Cooper’s return or maybe even a complementary center like a Franck Kepnang or Christian Reeves in the transfer portal.
It’s hard to see Ugochukwu go because he was becoming a fan favorite and hit some big shots for the program, but it might end up leading to Cooper’s return.
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