Michigan State basketball is one transfer away from title contention

Frankie Fidler felt like a huge addition for Michigan State basketball on Tuesday because, well, it was. He was one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball last season, averaging 20.1 points per game while also grabbing 6.3 rebounds.

All in all, the Fidler addition was big-time for Tom Izzo and the Spartans.

And it was necessary considering the pieces the Spartans would be losing this offseason in Malik Hall, Tyson Walker, AJ Hoggard, and Mady Sissoko. Those are four guys who started this past season and replacing all of them won't be easy. Fidler at least minimizes the blow.

The lineup with Fidler is already taking shape and it feels like Izzo may have his squad, but if he's going to take his own advice and "die trying" to get his team back to the promised land, he has to know he needs one more piece from the transfer portal.

And that piece should be in the frontcourt.

The backcourt is pretty locked in with Jaden Akins, Tre Holloman, Jeremy Fears, Jase Richardson, and Kur Teng in line to play big roles next year, but the Spartans need someone to complement Xavier Booker in the post. They need a center who's going to come in and average 10 and 10.

My favorite center in the portal has been Brandon Garrison from Oklahoma State and I think he could still be an option, but it feels like Izzo is waiting until May 1 when the portal is finalized.

Either way, he needs to hit the portal one more time in order for this roster to be championship-level.

A lineup with Jeremy Fears/Tre Holloman, Jaden Akins, Frankie Fidler, Xavier Booker, and a talented transfer center would compete with anyone not only just in the Big Ten, but in the nation.

One transfer away.