Returning front court players will be one of the keys to a successful season
Returning Players: Xavier Booker, Carson Cooper, Jaxon Kohler
Departed Players: Malik Hall, Mady Sissoko
Transfers In: Szymon Zapala
Recruits In: Jesse McCulloch, Brennan Walton, Colin Walton
The Spartans lose power forward Malik Hall (out of eligibility) and center Maddy Sissoko (transfer to Cal) from last year’s team. Hall earned honorable mention All-Big Ten last year after finishing second on the team with 12.7 points per game to go along with a team leading 5.7 rebounds. Coach Izzo often referred to Hall as a calming presence on the floor and he finished his career with his most productive season last year.
Sissoko was a solid defender and rebounder, finishing second to Hall last year with 5.1 rebounds per game. His 2022-23 season started with promise as he scored 14 against Gonzaga in the Armed Forces Classic and then 16 against Kentucky in the Champions Classic but, after that, his offensive game never really developed as hoped. Sissoko’s minutes took a hit last year and he decided to move to Cal in search of more playing time this year.
Jesse McCulloch and twins Brennan and Colin Walton join the roster this year. McCulloch, at 6-10, 240 lbs., is a promising prospect, coming in as the #99 player in ESPN’s top 100 rankings. Tom Izzo has spoken highly of his abilities in the trip to Spain and preseason practice. I don’t think there has been an official announcement regarding a redshirt for this year but that seems like the most likely path for McCulloch with four other post players presumably ahead of him.
The Waltons, both 6-7, 220 lbs, are from the Lansing area and both averaged double figures in points in their last year of high school ball. They are also likely to redshirt or perhaps see minutes at the end of games where the outcome is decided.
The Spartans picked up Syzmon Zapala from the transfer portal and, while he may not have been the transfer center Spartan fans had in mind, the coaches clearly see something in him. It could be his size at 7-0, 245 lbs. Or, even though Zapala has already played four years of college basketball, it’s possible Izzo and staff believe he still has a significant upside. Born in Poland, Zapala played on the 2019 Polish U18 team. His first three years of college ball were spent at Utah State where he saw only 4.6 minutes per game, averaging 1.2 points and 1.3 rebounds. Zapala spent last season at Longwood University where he upped his averages to 9.8 points and 5.6 boards in 16.7 minutes per game. He really shined in the Big South tournament, which the Lancers won and advanced to the NCAA tournament, scoring 14 per game and being named to the All-Tournament team.
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While Zapala saw playing time with MSU’s ones in the summer trip to Spain, it remains to be seen how much of an impact he can have at the Big Ten level.
So, it seems clear that MSU’s biggest contribution in the frontcourt must come from the three returning players: Xavier Booker, Carson Cooper, and Jaxon Kohler. Here are their stat lines from last year:
Booker: 9.3 minutes, 3.7 points, 1.7 rebounds
Kohler*: 9.3, 2.0, 2.0
Cooper: 16.9, 3.4, 4.4
TOTAL: 35.5, 9.1, 8.1
* Kohler missed the first 13 games after a foot injury in the preseason required surgery.
Cooper, at 6-11, 245, is a hard worker and a solid defender but, if he is the Spartans’ most productive front court player again this year, it could be another long season for MSU Basketball. Booker and Kohler need to produce and take a big step forward for this team.
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Kohler, at 6-9, 245, should benefit from participating in the full preseason program this year. He may not be the most athletic of the bigs but has worked to get stronger, possesses a solid array of post moves, and is also working to develop his outside shot to stretch defenses. If Kohler can up his production to 6-8 points and 4-6 rebounds per game while continuing to improve his defense, it could be a big step toward MSU becoming a Big Ten contender and threat in the NCAA tournament.
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The biggest jump forward, however, needs to be from Xavier Booker. For this team to be successful and make a deep tournament run, Booker may need to improve upon last year’s total scoring average from the bigs on his own. He’s worked hard in the weight room since coming to MSU to get his 6-11 frame up to a Big Ten ready 240 pounds. While Cooper and Kohler are probably more back to the basket post players, Booker is definitely more of a stretch 4. He came to MSU with a decent three point shot and hit 33% from behind the arc last year.
Like everyone else on an Izzo team, however, Booker will be expected to rebound and defend – which was a struggle at times last year. The added muscle should help with both as long as Booker continues to improve and is willing to use his stronger body to bang down low with the Big Ten’s best big men.
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Izzo and others have stated that good guard play can make the difference in the NCAA tournament. However, the lack of a go-to post player such as Nick Ward hurt MSU last year and has been missing from the Spartans’ offensive arsenal since Xavier Tillman went to the NBA. Last year there just seemed to be so much pressure on Tyson Walker and Hall to score because teams knew Sissoko and Cooper weren’t really a threat on the offensive end. If Kohler can prove to be a decent back to the basket threat with Booker averaging at least double figures in points per game then it will take some scoring pressure off Frankie Fidler, Jaden Akins, and all the wings and guards to create a lot more problems for opposing defenses. Of course, this will involve Izzo trusting them on the defensive end enough to leave Booker and Kohler in for a lot more minutes than they saw last year.