After a year in which lineup flexibility and versatility weren’t exactly available to Michigan State, the Spartans are projected to have them in excess in 2026-27.
What do I mean by lineup versatility? Basically, creating as many different lineups with the same group of 10-12 players that you can and not really dropping off in terms of effectiveness.
Last year, the best lineup was always with Jeremy Fears Jr. running the point, Carson Cooper at center, Jaxon Kohler at power forward, and Coen Carr at small forward. The shooting guard spot was pretty interchangeable until Jordan Scott officially took over but unless Carr, Fears, Kohler, and Cooper were all on the floor, the lineup wasn’t nearly as effective or efficient.
That’s going to change this season with the additions of Anton Bonke, Ethan Taylor, Jasiah Jervis, Julius Avent, and Carlos Medlock Jr. and the return of Kaleb Glenn from injury.
Michigan State’s going to have unlimited options
Although Divine Ugochukwu did transfer out and both Cooper (for now) and Kohler graduated, Michigan State is going to have a ton of options with its lineups.
You could argue that Michigan State was limited because Cooper and Kohler almost always had to be out there and the Spartans couldn’t ever afford to go “small-ball”, but that’s different now.
If Michigan State did want to go the small-ball route this year, here’s what it might look like:
G: Carlos Medlock Jr.
G: Jeremy Fears Jr.
F: Jordan Scott
F: Coen Carr
C: Jesse McCulloch
Tom Izzo could also take Medlock out for Jervis or Kur Teng. The center spot could also be Taylor or Bonke, but I feel like the only non-7-footer is the easiest choice for small-ball. But that’s what I’m talking about, that flexibility can be dangerous.
If Michigan State wants to go big, it can go:
G: Fears
Wing: Glenn
Wing: Carr
F: McCulloch
C: Bonke
Obviously that would be in an extreme circumstance because Glenn can play anywhere from 2-4, but if Izzo wanted to have everyone over 6-foot-7 besides Fears, that could be an option. Scott and Glenn would be interchangeable here, too. Cam Ward could make an appearance in that lineup as well.
Want a 3-point shooting lineup?
G: Fears
G: Teng
F: Glenn
F: McCulloch
C: Bonke
All of those guys are likely to shoot over 30 percent this season and I’d put my money on Teng, Glenn, and McCulloch approaching 40 percent.
What about a lockdown defense and rebounding lineup?
G: Fears
G: Scott
F: Carr
F: Ward
C: Bonke
Just imagine the lineup options if Cooper did decide to come back and the NCAA allowed for it. This team would be able to run out a dozen different lineups that would all be effective.
It’s probably a good thing that I’m not the head coach because I’d probably overthink it with all the options at my disposal. Let’s let the Hall of Famer cook next season.
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