Is Michigan State basketball freshman Jesse McCulloch's skill being overlooked?

Michigan State basketball has had plenty of different post-player rotations in the last several seasons, and well it's great to have a number of guys to plug and play, the Spartans have lacked a consistent presence at both ends of the floor.

There hasn't been a legit rim protector in nearly five seasons for the Spartans. Yes, Marcus Bingham Jr. left MSU as the all-time block leader when he graduated in 2022, but you have to go back to 2019-2020 to remember a legit shot blocker or rim protector, and that was Xavier Tillman.

The Spartans have Carson Cooper and Xavier Booker, who are both right around 6-foot-11, but the former isn't the greatest shot contester, being called for fouls more often than not. As for Booker, he hasn't quite seen the floor enough yet to know if he can be a rim protector like Tillman or even Jaren Jackson Jr. was -- Booker is very similarly built to Jackson.

That's where incoming freshman big man Jesse McCulloch comes in. No, he isn't a 7-footer, but he's certainly not quite getting much love coming into the Spartans group of bigs.

His size and skill seem to be flying under the radar, but with him now on campus, he certainly has the opportunity to become a playmaker in the post, at both ends.

McCulloch looked really good during his senior campaign, as he helped lead the Lutheran East Falcons to a State Championship. He also averaged over 22 points, 14 rebounds, and over four blocks in his senior campaign.

McCulloch shared some of his senior highlights via his X page.

He finished the championship game with 18 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.

McCulloch certainly looks like a player that could sneak right in and make an impact as a freshman in the post, much like fellow Ohio native Nick Ward did.

I think he has a great opportunity to become a good post player, and the Spartans certainly need a shot blocker. It will be interesting to see what new assistant coach Saddi Washington can do working with Jesse.

I for one think he is being very undervalued coming in. Time will tell.