A new transfer center has appeared right in front of Michigan State fans, and honestly, no one really knows what to think of Tom Izzo’s reported pursuit of College of Charleston’s Christian Reeves.
Do I think he’d be a fit as the Spartans’ starting center? Honestly, I think he’d be a perfect backup option, and if Carson Cooper returns, I wouldn’t mind him playing off the bench for 10-15 minutes per game. I just don’t think he’s your guy if you’re looking for a national title-caliber starting five.
As a starter? I just don’t see this being the fit for Michigan State. Izzo and the Spartans need to have higher standards than a journeyman at the collegiate level looking for his fourth school in five years.
The 7-foot-2, 255-pound center from College of Charleston is coming off his best season where he averaged 11.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. He’s also incredibly efficient from the floor, but the worry for me is his shooting from beyond the paint. He has never attempted a single three and that’s just not going to make for a very effective offensive lineup unless Izzo just wants to mash down low with Reeves and Cam Ward.
The perfect center, in my opinion, can bully defenders in the post as well as step out to hit the occasional jumper to keep defenses honest. That’s exactly what Cooper does.
How Christian Reeves would fit at Michigan State
Look at this potential starting five and tell me what you notice:
- Jeremy Fears Jr.
- Jordan Scott
- Coen Carr
- Cam Ward
- Christian Reeves
If you said that you noticed a lack of shooting, you’d be right. Fears and Scott can shoot the ball, but Carr was under 30 percent from deep all season, Ward struggled even from the free throw line, and Reeves has never shot a three and he’s a career 62 percent free throw shooter.
That fit would be horrendous if you’re worried about the offensive end of the floor which Izzo very well should be.
I don’t know if Izzo assumes that Jesse McCulloch is going to take a massive leap as a redshirt sophomore or that Ethan Taylor is ready to split time at center, but I just don’t understand going after a guy who couldn’t cut it at Duke and Clemson earlier in his career and he looked more at home at the mid-major level in the CAA.
How would he fit as the starting center? Not well. Not well at all. As a backup? Yes, please.
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