Sissoko isn’t leaving. Where else can he start and play 20 MPG on a high major team at a great program with zero threat to losing his minutes even when he posts five consecutive games of 4 pts and 2 rebounds filled with fumbled catches and missed dunks
Booker isn’t a threat to Sissoko. If anything Booker will start at the 4 and slide to the 5 occasionally. Mady will still get 15-20 minutes in that scenario
Marble and Kithier both left despite getting plenty of rotation minutes. I would agree that the default answer should be to assume he’s staying, but Sissoko might remember being ranked ahead of Hunter and want to go play somewhere that let’s him get more opportunities and more then 15-20 minutes per game. Sissoko has taken more than 5 shots only twice in 26 games this season, correlating to the same number of times he’s scored double figures. Playing 20 minutes as part of a 3-headed monster at center might be fine for a while - but maybe he wants to go dominate at a lower level school.
Kampe more has his eyes on Pierre Brooks lol
Sissoko is not getting a lack of opportunities at MSU, he’s getting a lack of production in plenty of opportunities because he’s horrible.
And I agree with the “backup QB” syndrome people mentioned when MSU fans call for Kohler/Cooper to get more tick, but those guys actually have shown the ability to catch the ball and make layups/dunks in a way Mady has failed at a ton lately.
If he really does look to leave it will be a “find his level” transfer. Kithier played 10 MPG and Bingham/Marble were emerging and already playing more minutes than him. Marble leaving was a real surprise but it sounds like it was legitimately a unique situation where he just needed to be closer to home. Kohler/Cooper aren’t emerging and Mady’s still playing the most minutes. I’d be shocked
Hauser, having already redshirted, seems likely to move on. I agree that Walker could be ready as well. Hall I assume comes back given his injury struggles this year.
Akins is a great piece for them because he will start at the 2 and can move to the 3 to make room for Holloman or Fears to come in. I see him as an all big ten player next year with more usage, I just love his game.
Oh yeah Pierre will average 27 a game on an 8-24 Oakland team next year.
The question is just if Akins will join him for their senior years after a gap year at Mississippi State if Izzo really brings Hoggard and Walker both back at his expense
That was weirdest transfer I can think of in a while. Not that Watts transferred, that he chose Mississippi State and Ben Howland’s coaching corpse. So random (unless there’s a connection I am completely missing).
Seems like the most obvious target on the white board there.
Same here.
I just think Walker/Fears as your PG options would help move the program forward a bit. I’m not sure that AJ starting next year moves the needle.
Makes sense to me. But Izzo choosing between a senior starter and a freshman. I’ll ride the streak.
Walker would be a grad student. I imagine something like Walker, Akins, Hall, Booker and Sissoko as the starting lineup.
Fears plays 20-25 minutes per game off the bench backing up Walker and shifting him to the two for portions of the game.
That seems like a pretty good roster from MSU’s point of view other than Sissoko still being a weak spot. I just feel like the odds of getting both Walker and Hall back for 5th years is not all that high…even for Izzo. Likewise, maybe I’m just off base here and we should consult our MSU insider BQ, but I think the odds of Walker coming back for a 5th year are lower than Hoggard coming back for a 4th year. I absolutely agree with the idea that MSU begs Walker to come back and offers a firm handshake to Hoggard…just not how I perceive that dynamic there.
Also, the odds of a freshman taking minutes from a 4th or 5th year returning starter seems really unlikely for Izzo, though I’m sure he’ll play him a bunch. Something has to give because there aren’t enough minutes for Fears, Hoggard, Walker, Hall, and Akins.
Recruiting for next year
Did Gus Johnson make some comment about Izzo thinking that Hoggard was a genius in seeing the floor or did I invent that while I fantasized about us playing better during some of those agonizing stretches of the first half?
Hoggard is definitely a really good passer. Best on MSU’s roster right now. I just think his presence has held Tyson back a bit from becoming a more complete PG.
Another preseason primer for a B1G team cause why not… Illinois.
Likely losing TSJ, Mayer, and Hawkins. Hawkins and TSJ have eligibility but have a hard time imagining either comes back, but even one coming back is a huge boon for them. Dainja is solidified as their 5 and he’s a good player. Likewise Epps at PG and Rodgers at a wing spot. Rodgers versatility would allow them to start any 2 of Melendez, Goode, Harris.
Could be a very talented starting group, but a group that would have to take on a TON more usage then they have to this point. Epps is playing his role well as a freshman but he only has a 12% AST rate. Rodgers could become a point forward ala Hawkins, but Rodgers is 7/22 from the FT line… Do Melendez and Goode want to stick around for another year? I would guess Melendez does and slides into an obvious starting high usage role. He’s been really bad this year though. Do they trust in Saint Torvik’s preseason projection king?
They have 2 freshman guards coming in. So pretty set there depth wise. Would guess that portal wise they’d just try to swing big for another Mayer/TSJ type again. Slot one in with Epps/Rodgers/Melendez/Dainja for an extremely talented group. Also might need front court depth with Perrin leaving. Wouldn’t have a huge role to offer though.
Mayer/Hawkins/TSJ are the engines of their offense though so would have to for the second straight year have a totally new look team.
Melendez transfer watch. Epps + Dainja + swing for fences again and fill in with Rodgers/Goode
Most predictable thing about Illinois in the coming six months: Illini Inquirer roster discussion threads will be even better than here.
Chaos only there.
I can’t imagine Melendez is back after he’s been bad, suspended for a game, etc.
I feel like Hawkins coming back seems like a possibility though?