NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Ranking 10 contenders for top-50 Isaac Traudt

2. Virginia Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are their best when they have a strong offensive option in the frontcourt. It was Sam Hauser last season and they’re hoping East Carolina transfer Jayden Gardner can replicate the production next year. But he’s likely a one-year rental too, so the team will be looking for a capable scoring forward to replace him afterward.

Traudt, who is a capable defender (need to be to get minutes on this team) as well, would be a great option to have for Virginia. He’d get minutes and wouldn’t have to worry about being over-recruited, as they don’t get top-30 prospects often. The forward would be on a top-25 program in the ACC and get plenty of national attention if he pans out.

1. Michigan State Spartans

Sam Hauser’s brother Joey is the starting forward for the Spartans, but there’s no question that he struggled last season. He’s coming up on his fourth year in college so a bounce-back campaign could be enough for him to move on, leaving a hole for someone like Traudt to come in and have an impact.

He’s the kind of player I think would work well in Tom Izzo’s system and provide things that’ll benefit the roster overall. The guards are set up for the future with Max Christie and Jaden Akins joining for next season but the frontcourt is more of a question.

Traudt would be an upgrade over the likes of Julius Marble and Marcus Bingham, and with no Emoni Bates coming around, will have the opportunity for major minutes for a blue blood program. Expect them to be around for the duration of Traudt’s recruitment.