A New Scoring Threat for Michigan State’s Title Hopes
Tom Izzo has created a stir after avoiding the transfer portal for the previous two years.
On Tuesday, Frankie Fidler, an Omaha transfer, officially announced it. The 6-foot-7 wing, who averaged 20.1 points per game last season and was the second-leading scorer in the Summit League, declared his commitment to the Spartans. During the previous season, Fidler averaged 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game for the Mavericks in addition to shooting 45% from the field and 36% from three point range. With Tyson Walker, A.J. Hoggard, and Malik Hall gone, he provides Izzo with a projected starter at small forward and someone Michigan State can use as a wing in a new offensive scheme the next season.
Fidler chose the Spartans over Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Creighton; a crucial factor in his selection was his April 13 visit to East Lansing.
Izzo, who has chosen to defy the college basketball establishment in recent seasons and has previously voiced concerns about portal chaos, takes his first transfer in 1,123 days. Walker was the last athlete to join the Spartans from another university in March 2021.
Izzo needed to access the portal in order to take an experienced player under his wing because of the way the game has changed.
However, what does Fidler’s acquisition signify? Rising sophomore Jeremy Fears is poised to take a step forward at point guard, and it offers rising senior guard and double-figure scorer Jaden Akins the opportunity to play his natural position at the two.
What does the Spartans’ future hold? meeting the needs of the frontcourt. Xavier Booker gained twenty pounds of muscle during the season and began to receive more opportunities from Izzo in the final stretch, but it will take until the 2024–25 campaign for him to establish himself as a consistent player.
It is obvious that Izzo could use some experience on the interior, even though Jaxon Kohler is back and should advance after another offseason. The versatile Coen Carr allows the Spartans to play smaller, but an experienced big man would be invaluable to this squad if they want to get to the next level.
For the time being, nevertheless, Fidler’s acquisition is positive. He led Omaha in scoring, rebounds, and steals (1.2 per game) throughout the previous two seasons. Izzo appears to be able to rely on him to generate offensive mismatches and make outside shots. The Spartans will have a lot more momentum going into 2024–2025 as a result.