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Michigan State basketball could run with a crazy explosive lineup in 2024-25

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks to forward Coen Carr (55) during the second half of the NCAA tournament West Region second round against North Carolina at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks to forward Coen Carr (55) during the second half of the NCAA tournament West Region second round against North Carolina at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday, March 23, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
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As I was sitting down looking at the final stats from night two of Moneyball, something came to my mind: Michigan State basketball could put together an explosive lineup this season that could be good enough to not only compete for a Big Ten title but on a national level.

Moneyball stats aren't important and I can't reiterate that enough. We see guys who put up crazy numbers every year and it just doesn't translate the same. But the way players look is important.

So when I saw Coen Carr hitting 3-pointers and looking comfortable doing it, that explosive potential lineup came to my mind. And it should have everyone just as excited as I am.

If Carr's newfound jumper translates to the regular season, there's a good chance he'll be playing big minutes this season at power forward. And I know what you're saying: what about Xavier Booker?

Hear me out.

How would you feel about this lineup:

PG: Jeremy Fears Jr.
SG: Jaden Akins
SF: Frankie Fidler
PF: Coen Carr
C: Xavier Booker

Explosive, right?

I know, there are concerns about Booker playing center, but he's added weight this offseason and he's working out with Jaren Jackson Jr. so that leads me to believe he's going to only get better and stronger on both ends of the floor. If he can hold his own in the post, he could be the best development of the offseason for MSU.

Carr would be able to potentially space the floor at the four because he could draw some attention as a decent 3-point shooter or mid-range guy, but if someone over-pursues, he can blow by and throw it down with ease. That would also be massive.

Fidler is a dynamic scorer and we've see that already at Moneyball and so is Akins.

And Fears could be one of the better point guards to come through East Lansing when it's all said and done. He's naturally gifted and he's a leader. He's going to be a heck of a passer and if he works on that scoring touch, he may just be special enough to bring Tom Izzo No. 2.

Is that lineup not intriguing? There's athleticism everywhere and every single one of those guys could score. If Carr has a jumper, all of them would be able to shoot from deep, too. Rarely do you see an Izzo-coached lineup do that.

The intrigue for this team is rising.

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