Open Thread: Return of the Genie

The Spartan Genie returns to grant basketball wishes

As we enjoy our extra long holiday weekend, the writers at TOC invite you to indulge with your imagination once again as Craig Mack sings his never before heard song, “Return of the Genie”. That’s right, you were taking a few shots on the court, reminiscing about your days of youth, when you bend down to tie your shoe and look back up to see our Spartan Genie. How lucky are you? Two genies in one month, time to hit up Mega Millions. However, the genie says the only wishes that will be granted are those that pertain to Spartan Basketball. Men’s basketball, women’s basketball or both, it’s all on the table. So, once again, what will you wish for? There are no wrong answers, but perhaps scared ones. Let’s look at what our TOC team would wish for…

Mike:

As with the football wishes, I’ll try to keep this somewhat realistic but two of the three wishes are probably a lot more attainable than the third. I’d also like to give one wish to MSU Women’s hoops.

1. Jase Richardson returns. I know it’s incredibly unlikely and Richardson looks to be intent on pursuing his NBA dream, but maybe, just maybe, this isn’t an absolute zero percent chance either. With the three transfers and two high school players Izzo has brought in for next year, MSU’s roster is at 14. The limit is 15, which now counts both scholarship and walk on players. So there appears to be room for Richardson. Also, the NCAA’s deadline for withdrawing from the NBA draft is May 28. So, technically, it’s still a possibility for Rchardson to come back. If Richardson were to somehow change his mind, it could vault what could be a solid MSU team to an elite one, especially if . . .
2. Coen Carr develops a reliable 3-point shot and Carson Cooper gains just a little more offensive development. I’m not saying Cooper needs to be a go-to guy on the block but just enough to make defenses pay if they don’t respect him. If Carr can be a threat to hit 1-2 per game from deep, it might open up the middle and his driving lanes to the basket.
3. MSU Women’s Basketball takes the next step by sweeping Michigan, picking up a signature victory or two, and making it to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. The Spartans crushed UM in Ann Arbor this year but then were stymied at home by the Wolverines. They also led late in the game at then #1 UCLA before falling just short. Women’s hoops has seen steady progression in Robyn Fralikck’s first two years – making it to the tournament her first year and advancing to the second round this year before being overmatched by NC State. However, the Spartans have a solid recruiting and transfer class coming in and the wishes above seem more like realistic steps along Fralick’s path of continued improvement.

O:

1. I want to see Coen Carr break the rim/backboard on a dunk during an MSU game. It’s one thing to do it in a pickup game at the IM. It’s another to do it on an NCAA court right over someone wearing the uniform of another school.
2. Of the 7 players who could be new to the regular rotation in ‘25-’26 (Teng, McCullough, Glenn, Fort, Ugochukwu, Ward, and Scott), I want to see at least two of them to average double-digit scoring. If I had to guess which two are the most likely to accomplish this, I would say Fort and Ward. But I will take the contribution from any of them. I expect returning players Kohler and Carr to be double-digit scorers, so this would give the Spartans the potential for four players to contribute to the box score significantly.
3. I want a time machine to go back to March 2020 to send 64 college basketball teams to a bubble somewhere and have them play out the NCAA Tournament in isolation and with no chance of a Covid outbreak. Obviously, MSU wins that tournament.

Brian:

1. National Championship. The first in restarting the series of no 4-year player leaves without (at least) a final-four. Do we have the pieces to get there – sure.
2. I’d like to see it turn out that we have actually a deeper/stronger and even more injury-free bench rotation than we did last season (which, as most would agree, was pretty good) – including B1G sixth-man of the year.
3. Major B1G award winners by end of season – at least one 1st team, one 2nd team, 1 3rd team, and honorable mention, 1 defense. Izzo wins coach of the year again.

Steve:

1. Unlimited portal spending. I know this makes it less fun in getting to know the team and having that family sort of feel, but these are the days of buying titles. Might as well join the caucus.
2. MSU to get back to back National Championships. This would put Izzo in an even bigger stratosphere and allow him to coach with his new found enjoyment and rejuvenation. This would also help in recruiting making MSU a destination.
3. To be hated for greatness. I want to be like Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, UConn, North Carolina. People hate them for continued greatness. Continued Sweet 16’s are not the equivalent. Let’s be that team that America says, “not them again”.

There you have it. Now, it is your turn. What will you wish for? Answer the poll and discuss in the comments. This should be fun!