Unfortunately, Michigan State basketball's season ended on Sunday with a frustrating loss to No. 1 seed Auburn in the Elite Eight. It was a sad ending to a wonderful season for the Spartans, who defied everyone's expectations and surged through the NCAA Tournament. It took the overall top seed to finally end their season.
Now, attention will turn to the 2025-26 season, where expectations will be much higher following the Spartans' best season since the start of COVID-19 and the days of Cassius Winston.
Below, we will take a look at the Spartans roster on a player-by-player basis, along with a look at who is leaving, who the Spartans might pursue as a transfer, what the rotation looks like and how the roster might look if anticipated departures occur.
Update: Tre Holloman and Gehrig Normand have entered the transfer portal, and we have adjusted our potential rotation below to account for the changes.
Departing
No matter what, at least three players from this team will leave this summer: Jaden Akins, Frankie Fidler and Szymon Zapala. All three are out of college eligibility.
Akins has been the heartbeat of this team for years with his strong defense and work ethic. It will be tough for fans to see him go. Fidler and Zapala were the perfect MSU transfers. Both players fit into the culture and program seamlessly, and I think provide a blueprint for MSU transfers moving forward.
On April 1, Tre Holloman and Gehrig Normand both entered the transfer portal, followed shortly after by Xavier Booker.
Full Roster
- Jeremy Fears Jr.
- Fears will be back and should make a jump this summer now that he's fully healthy for a full offseason.
- Tre Holloman
- I expect Holloman to be back, but the question will be on his role. I think he fits best as a sixth man with his ability to play both guard spots. He was OK with that role this year, but as a senior, that might be a tougher pill to swallow. Holloman has made ample sacrifices for the Spartans, and if he's willing to do that another year, he would be great in that sixth man role, or, if he takes another step this summer, as the starting shooting guard if the next player leaves. However, in the modern collegiate game, don't be surprised if he seeks his options in the portal.
- Update: Tre Holloman entered the portal on 4/1/25.
- Jase Richardson
- One of the biggest questions for MSU this summer will be about Jase Richardson. Richardson could be an NBA player by midsummer if he wants to be. Or, he could come back and try to reach a Final Four and beyond. No one could fault him for going either way.
- Coen Carr
- In many ways, this season became about Coen Carr's rapid growth from a rotation player into a legitimate star for Michigan State. With another offseason of shooting and ball-handling development, Carr could reach an All-Big Ten level for the Spartans next season.
- Jaxon Kohler
- I'd put Kohler in the same camp as Tre Holloman. I expect him to be back, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he at least gets some feedback from NBA scouts in the draft process or from other schools who might try to tantalize him with promises of being a Jokic-type focal point of an offense. However, he clearly bleeds green and white and I'm expecting him back next season.
- Carson Cooper
- Unless a big name transfer comes in, Cooper should be the starting center for the Spartans next season.
- Kur Teng
- Next season, we will definitely see Kur Teng be a meaningful part of the rotation. On a team that was starved of shooting at times, Teng's shooting acumen could help reshape this team and make it more dangerous.
- Gehrig Normand
- Here is a sneaky interesting name to monitor. Those who watch MSU's pregame warmups know Normand can really shoot it (he hardly misses his warmup 3s). Normand seems to be a big part of the team culture, but if Jase Richardson and Tre Holloman return, it's hard to see where the minutes come from, especially with Jordan Scott coming in, who could overtake him on the roster even as a freshman, making him a potential transfer candidate, although his shooting would be very welcome in the rotation.
- Update: Gehrig Normand has entered the transfer portal.
- Xavier Booker
- Another player who will be the center of a lot of speculation this offseason. If Booker wants to stay and develop, you know Izzo will give him everything he has. But after two disappointing years without many minutes, no one would fault Booker for transferring out and trying to find more secure minutes elsewhere.
- Update: Xavier Booker has entered the transfer portal.
- Jordan Scott
- I am a big fan of Jordan Scott, but there's a chance he takes a redshirt next year to add muscle. It's hard to project those things with high school athletes, I could see him getting some rotation minutes if his body is ready.
- Cam Ward
- Similar to Scott, I am a fan of Cam Ward, but we will have to see if he's going to be part of the rotation next year. The word on the street is he is one of the most college-ready recruits MSU has secured in recent years, but you never know until they get to campus. As of now, I'm expecting him to get some minutes at power forward this year, backing up Jaxon Kohler in games where Coen Carr stays at the three.
- Jesse McCulloch
- Jesse McCulloch is a player I've been waiting to see. We aren't even sure what his position will be yet. Originally I was under the impression he will be a big four like Kohler, but I have heard rumors he has been taking to the center position in practices and enjoying it while adding strength to his frame. If McCulloch can play center, it makes the rotation very interesting next year.
Transfer needs
There is much in flux here, so I'm not going to spend too much time guessing at what they will actually need. Instead, I'll rank three areas they could dip into the portal for by how beneficial they would be:
- Big: Right now, Cooper is the only pure center on the roster next season. Kohler seems to prefer the four, and I think McCulloch will be in that same boat. I could definitely see how MSU dipping back into the portal for a player similar to Zapala would benefit them.
- Wing: Scott and Ward might not be fully ready next year. If that's the case, a veteran wing to replace Fidler would be useful.
- Guard: We know Fears Jr. will be the Spartans' starting point guard. We do not know who will back him up. With Holloman and Normand leaving, even if Jase Richardson returns, you can bet that the Spartans will add at least one guard, but now likely two, to fill the void.
Potential Rotation after transfer news
Taking a look at the potential rotation after Tre Holloman and Gehrig Normand entered the transfer portal. I also added question marks next to Xavier Booker and Jase Richardson, two players we are still waiting to receive confirmation on:
- Jeremy Fears Jr./Transfer
- Jase Richardson (?)/Transfer/Kur Teng
- Coen Carr/Transfer/Jordan Scott
- Jaxon Kohler/Cam Ward/Coen Carr
- Carson Cooper/Jesse McCulloch/Transfer
To be honest, I think this is probably the most likely outcome.
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