Michigan State basketball star predicted to be All-Big Ten first teamer

Michigan State basketball is in desperate need of a good season this year. It’s been far too long since we’ve seen the program at the level we expect, and as of today it looks like this year’s team could be trending in that direction.

The team as a whole seems pretty complete to me. Outside shooters, elite guard play and the potential for solid post play is all there. However, the one unknown that Michigan State will need this year is an alpha. Someone who can take control of any game and shows up every single night.

Michigan State has had guys that resemble that in the past, but not at an All-Big Ten level. In fact, Michigan State hasn’t had a first-team All-Big Ten selection since Cassius Winston in 2020.

That will be changing this season, according to one person.

Carter Elliot with Sleepers Media released his preseason selections for the first team All-Big Ten team and he selected Frankie Fidler as one of his five choices.

Fidler definitely has the ability to be a first team All-Big Ten player as he already showed glimpses of that last season at Omaha when he averaged over 20 points per game. But that was in a much weaker conference, it will be way more of a challenge to that in the Big Ten.

But still, I think he has the potential to do it, but I also think there’s another Spartan that’s more likely than Fidler to be given that honor.

What other Michigan State player can make the first team All-Big Ten team?

My top choice for who could make the first team is Jaden Akins. He has the most experience on the team and knows how to get through an entire Big Ten season, something Fidler doesn’t know yet.

I also think we still haven’t seen Akins full potential because he’s always had to play behind guys like Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard. Now that they’re gone, it’s his team and I think he’ll have many more opportunities to flourish in the offense.

Last season Akins averaged just over 10 points per game. He also has proven in the past that he can be a 40 percent 3-point shooter as well. So if he can shoot the ball at that clip again this season while getting more opportunities in the offense, Akins could realistically average 17-18 points per game which could be good enough to make the first team.

Another player who I could see making the first team is Xavier Booker. This is far more unlikely than both Akins and Fidler, but if Booker can put all of the tools he has together he could easily be one of the best players in the conference.

Time will tell if any Michigan State player will make the cut, but if they want to have the season we’re all hoping for than it’s likely someone will have to be good enough to make the first team.