Five-star combo guard Darius Adams decommitted from UConn over the weekend which may not have seemed like a Michigan State basketball storyline, but it actually was.
The Spartans finished second in Adams' recruitment before he picked UConn and Tennessee was also in the running. However, the Vols just added a late addition to their 2025 class in five-star power forward Nick Ament, so I'd have to look at their scholarship numbers to see if they even have room for Adams.
There's going to be a lot of interest coming Adams' way, but Michigan State is rumored to be one of the teams that could reach out. Here are the pros and cons (yes, there are a couple) of the Spartans potentially pushing for the five-star guard.
Pros of targeting Darius Adams
1. Jase Richardson replacement
You know Tom Izzo is feeling the pressure of replacing Jase Richardson after he pieced together a huge freshman year and is now considered a potential lottery pick.
Izzo could replace him with a five-star and this could actually be used as a major selling point for Adams. Want to come in and be the next lottery pick to develop under Izzo and get the green light offensively? The choice is clear.
I'm not sure that Adams is the same offensive threat that Richardson was, but as a five-star prospect with size, he can't be too far off.
2. Sewing up the 2025-26 roster
If Michigan State can close on Adams, that would mean that the 2025-26 roster is set in stone with all the scholarship spots used. He would become the Spartans' fourth guard, joining Jeremy Fears Jr., Trey Fort, and Kur Teng. That's not exactly the veteran, experienced backcourt that they had last season, but the talent and potential are there.
Nothing would make Izzo happier than going into May and June with the roster set and only having to worry about offseason conditioning and making sure his guys gel.
3. Elite backcourt talent
This one's obvious. Adding Adams would give Michigan State an elite backcourt addition with four years of eligibility and if all goes well, he could be a one-and-done.
Going from Tre Holloman as the backup point guard to Adams would mean there would be no drop-off like many worried and he would be able to provide an even higher upside than if the Minnesota native was still in East Lansing.
Imagine that offensive potential with Fears dishing the ball to Fort, Teng, and Adams. There would be plenty of shots to go around and the backcourt would be bolstered yet again.
Cons of targeting Darius Adams
While it's tough to come up with "cons" of targeting Adams, there are a couple that people may not realize.
1. Kur Teng
One potential con would be the development of Kur Teng being put on the backburner potentially to make room for another guard who could take plating time away from the sophomore guard.
While it's unlikely that Teng's role would be completely suppressed by the potential addition of Adams, it would essentially take a chunk of his minutes and give them to an incoming freshman which could even lead to a transfer. This move could ruffle Teng's feathers and I'm not sure if Izzo wants to do that.
2. No true backup point guard
Adding Adams would take up the final spot on the roster which means that Izzo wouldn't be able to add a legitimate point guard to back up Fears. Sure, Adams is a combo guard so he could handle the ball if need be, but he's not a pure point the way that Tre Holloman felt like he was and Jase Richardson could be.
Adams would essentially be the backup point guard and I'm not sure if Izzo is ready to put his full trust in a true freshman combo guard to back up Fears.