The loss of Divine Ugochukwu is going to hurt Michigan State’s backcourt depth. That much is certain. However, losing one of six projected guards isn’t the worst situation in the world.
Actually, it might help the younger guys develop faster — more on that later today.
It’s also going to clear up what was expected to be a logjam in the backcourt with three point guards and three shooting guards battling it out for minutes. With only 40 minutes available, that would mean that each shooting guard would get around 13 minutes and the backup point guards would get 5-10 max. Now that Ugochukwu is gone, there aren’t as guys to eat up limited minutes.
Tom Izzo will never admit it, but this loss is going to take some of the pressure off his shoulders when it comes to rotational decisions. Instead of deciding to keep two really talented freshmen on the bench for most of the game, he can now coach freely with Carlos Medlock Jr. assuming the backup point guard role with no controversy.
Also, this decision by Ugochukwu isn’t going to force Izzo’s hand in the portal, in my opinion. There’s been chatter about whether Izzo will replace Ugochukwu, but I think it’s far more likely he adds two big guys and keeps the backcourt as is.
Michigan State is still very much loaded in the backcourt.
Tom Izzo needs to address the frontcourt (x2)
While the backcourt took a hit on Wednesday, the frontcourt should be Izzo’s main focus in the transfer portal now with two spots open.
The backcourt still has five guys and Kaleb Glenn who could play the two-guard in a bigger lineup, but the frontcourt has just Coen Carr, Cam Ward, Jesse McCulloch, Julius Avent, and Ethan Taylor. On paper, there’s plenty of talent, but there needs to be a starting-caliber center added to the mix and maybe another backup power forward.
A guy like Niko Bundalo who hit the portal on Tuesday would be a new option. He was a top target for Izzo and Co. in the 2025 class but he ultimately chose Chris Beard and Ole Miss. He could play the backup four to Cam Ward and have Carr focus on being the primary three.
I’m top of a guy like Bundalo, the Spartans obviously need a center.
Bring Carson Cooper back somehow or land a guy like Anton Bonke or Franck Kepnang along with Bundalo and I think Spartan fans would be thrilled.
I don’t see Izzo adding two bigs, but in my opinion, that would be ideal.
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