The center position has taken priority for Tom Izzo and Michigan State this offseason seeing as it's become the biggest need on a roster that's otherwise projected to be a national title contender. A year ago, it was another ball-handling guard and maybe a wing or two that took priority for Izzo in the portal.
And he was this close to landing what many considered to be a perfect "missing piece" to the backcourt after missing out on some other priority targets.
That "missing piece" is back on the market this week, entering the transfer portal after just one season with the Maryland Terrapins. That's right, Darius Adams is entering the transfer portal just one year after choosing Maryland over Michigan State shortly after decommitting from UConn. The Spartans felt like they were going to land him, but Maryland won at the buzzer (for once).
Fans were hopeful that Izzo would be able to land Adams after he decommitted from UConn. The Spartans made his original final three before committing to Dan Hurley and the Huskies, so when he decommitted, it was almost assumed that Michigan State would be the favorite.
Adams fit a position of need and Izzo had an open spot on the roster for the five-star prospect from La Lumiere. Unfortunately, like Aiden Sherrell, the Spartans lost him to a Big Ten foe.
What could have been with Darius Adams
Michigan State eventually landed Divine Ugochukwu, but you can't help but to think about what the team could have looked like if the Spartans landed Adams.
Based on what we know now regarding Ugochukwu's mid-season injury, it definitely wouldn't have hurt to land Adams last offseason. He averaged 10.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and just 1.6 assists but he really struggled with his shot which is another thing that Michigan State desperately needed.
Adams may have developed differently at Michigan State, but he also likely wasn't going to be playing 25-plus minutes for the Spartans. He went somewhere that he could start instead of somewhere that could have been a better fit for him and could have developed him in a much smoother manner than just throwing him into the fire.
The former five-star combo guard is back on the market just a year too late. No need for him now.
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