Michigan State loses first player to the transfer portal at the last minute

Divine Ugochukwu hit several clutch shots right before the buzzer this season for Michigan State, so he’s comfortable doing things with time running out.

That’s why his entry into the transfer portal late on Tuesday night right before the deadline wasn’t a huge shock because he loves flirting with that buzzer.

According to reports, Ugochukwu is the lone Michigan State player in the transfer portal after the roster went unscathed through the first two weeks of the window being open. Before Tuesday’s deadline at midnight, however, he was able to submit his name and paperwork.

This is a tough loss for Michigan State’s depth because he was going to play a lot of the 1-2 this season as a backup to Jeremy Fears Jr. as well as splitting time at the two with Jordan Scott, Kur Teng, and Jasiah Jervis. Now, the Spartans may have to look for some help in the portal.

Ugochukwu averaged 5.1 points and 1.5 assists this past season with Michigan State and he was one of the most improved 3-point shooters in the country at 44.2% compared to just 17.6% in his one year at Miami.

For the second time in as many years, he’s going portaling.

Michigan State’s backcourt depth takes a hit

With the loss of Ugochukwu to the portal, Michigan State’s backcourt depth took a hit and now the rotation which was going to be three-deep at every position is now just two-deep at point guard.

That’s moves Carlos Medlock Jr. up to that backup point guard spot but who knows how much one he was going to play for the Spartans. Thankfully, the Spartans are loaded at two-guard for next season with Jervis, Teng, and Scott all returning.

Will Izzo address this need in the transfer portal? I’m not sure that he’s going to find a guy who’s cool with a backup role with 10-15 minutes but he may at least take a peak.

Hey, Tre Holloman is still out there. Let’s get Carson Cooper to return and run it back.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow