Entering the offseason, Michigan State fans are going to be more demanding than ever for Tom Izzo to keep true on his promise to get the Spartans back to the top “or die trying”.
In the eyes of Spartan fans, “die trying” means to win it all by any means necessary. This means that Izzo needs to go all out in the transfer portal and spend a pretty large amount of money. There’s likely only spot for one more offseason addition via the portal, assuming that everyone is returning for the 2026-27 season — that’s what it looks like currently.
And that one transfer portal need is pacifist obvious: center.
The Spartans expect to have a pretty deep backcourt next season with Jeremy Fears Jr., Kur Teng, Jordan Scott, Divine Ugochukwu, Carlos Medlock Jr., Jasiah Jervis, and Jordan Scott and the wing is set with Coen Carr and Kaleb Glenn manning the small forward spot. They also have a decent start in the post with Cam Ward, Julius Avent, Ethan Taylor, and Jesse McCulloch, but adding a legitimate Big Ten starting-caliber center would arguably make the Spartans the preseason No. 1 team.
There are big-time names out there like Flory Bidunga or Somto Cyril, but many expect Izzo to target a guy who he’s familiar with like Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell.
Michigan State has a major need, and it’s at center.
Expectations for Michigan State’s next center
While I do believe that McCulloch and Taylor are going to be good players in East Lansing, I also believe that they’re a year or two away from being at the Jaxon Kohler or Carson Cooper level.
That means that Michigan State needs to reach into the portal and snag a center who can fill that role immediately.
What would the expectations for the Spartans’ next center be? A 6-foot-10 (or taller) big man who can play physically down low on both ends of the floor, who can rebound, who can run, who’s able to protect the rim, and who can run would be Izzo’s ideal center next season. There are several guys who fit that description, but I think Sherrell is perfect for the job.
Michigan State needs a guy who can put up 15 and 10 regularly, and Sherrell can do just that. Obviously Bidunga and Cyril can, too, but they’re going to be demanding bigger bags presumably.
If Izzo wants to chase No. 2 in Detroit next year, he needs to drop a hefty bag for a center.