Analyzing Michigan State basketball's 2025-26 roster, potential rotation

USA Today

18-04-2025

Analyzing Michigan State basketball's 2025-26 roster, potential rotation With the addition of Kaleb Glenn and Trey Fort, here's one guess at what MSU's rotation will look like next season.
With the recent additions of Trey Fort and Kaleb Glenn, the Michigan State basketball 2025-26 roster is nearly set. There will probably be at least one more move this offseason as the Spartans could use another point guard to spell Jeremy Fears Jr., but most of the major moves, both in terms of departures and additions, should be set, which gives us a better outlook for next season.
Below, we take a look at how the Spartans' rotation could shake out now that we have a good idea of who they will have available.
Notes
Tom Izzo made a subtle comment this past week that he doesn't think the door is 'fully closed' on Jase Richardson coming back to MSU. While this would be surprising, it's not impossible, but for the sake of this article, I'm going to assume he won't be back.
I think we will see a lot of lineup variation next season, depending on match-ups. Specifically, I think Jaxon Kohler could play a sort of Tre Holloman-type role, where he moves between positions and in-and-out of the starting lineup depending on who they are playing, but I am going to give my best guess for the rotation I expect to see most often. So, while I refer to a 'bench' in the projected rotation below, some of those players will be starters who slide to other positions, similar to how we saw Tre Holloman move from starting shooting guard to backup point guard at times last year.
I am fully expecting MSU to bring in a point guard, as I mentioned above. While this could be a freshman, I'm thinking they will bring in a veteran via the transfer portal, and will include that in the rotation projection below.
Roster Analysis
Below, we analyze each of MSU's scholarship players currently on the roster.
Guard Kur Teng, sophomore Kur Teng appears to be a talented shooter, but I think the Spartans will continue bringing him along slowly this year. The addition of Trey Fort allows him to slowly grow into a bigger role without any added pressure.
Forward Jesse McCulloch, sophomore While McCulloch is still listed as a forward, the word on the street is he has added muscle and has looked good in practice at center, which is great to hear for the Spartans. I expect him to backup Carson Cooper next year in that spot.
Guard Jeremy Fears Jr., redshirt sophomore While Jeremy Fears Jr. competently ran the offense last year, it's no secret that he wasn't a major threat himself on offense. The Spartans will need him to take a step forward in that department this summer.
Forward Coen Carr, junior In a lot of ways, this past season became the Coen Carr show at MSU as the Spartan phenom showed increased rebounding and defensive ability to complement his insane athleticism. The Spartans will look for him to take another step this summer and become an elite, All-Big Ten level scorer. While I think Carr is a cheat code at power forward, I think the Spartans, for several reasons, will mostly keep him at small forward, but I do think they will choose to slide him up to power forward for at least a few minutes per game, or in certain match-ups.
Forward Kaleb Glenn, junior Kaleb Glenn is very fun in transition, can shoot the ball, and has plenty of length and athleticism. The one knock on him is his defense, but I expect Izzo to get him right in that department. Glenn will likely play backup small forward, coming in when Coen Carr needs a rest or slides up to the four-spot.
Forward Jaxon Kohler, senior As I noted above, I think the Spartans have a chance to use Kohler as a big man version of Tre Holloman this year, moving him in-and-out of the starting lineup or between the four and five spots depending on match-ups.
Guard Trey Fort, senior MSU fans are going to love Trey Fort. His specialty? Transition threes. What does Tom Izzo do almost better than anyone? Create open threes in transition. It's a great fit and should be a lot of fun.
Center Carson Cooper, senior Carson Cooper continues to quietly be a strong defender and competent, efficient player for the Spartans. He will finally get his chance to be the full-time starter this year.
Forward Jordan Scott, freshman I'm personally not expecting Scott to play much this year unless he comes in further along than expected, but he could find some minutes at the three if they decide they do want to use Coen Carr more as a four this year, but I'm not expecting that.
Forward Cam Ward, freshman Unlike Scott, I am expecting Ward to find some minutes this year at both the four and five. There is a bit of a logjam there, but I think Ward's talent will be so undeniable, they will find minutes for him.
Potential Rotation
Starters:
PG: Jeremy Fears Jr.
SG: Trey Fort
SF: Coen Carr
PF: Jaxon Kohler
C: Carson Cooper
Rotation Pieces:
PG: Transfer
SG: Kur Teng
SF: Kaleb Glenn, Jordan Scott
PF: Coen Carr, Cam Ward, Kaleb Glenn
C: Jaxon Kohler, Jesse McCulloch, Cam Ward
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