10. Michigan State (3-seed)
Coen Carr (Junior – Forward)
A former Top 30 recruit, Carr has really come into his own in year three in Tom Izzo’s system. Carr averages 12.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in his first game as a starter, making a decent 59% clip from inside the arc. Beyond those numbers, he’s really showed out during this NCAA Tournament, with 17 points against North Dakota State and an impressive 21-point, 10-rebound effort over Louisville in the second round. Carr’s rise to prominence has led to this bigger role in the frontcourt and is a big reason the Spartans may not be done making memories this March.
Carson Cooper (Senior – Center)
Another critical homegrown cog in the Michigan State machine, Cooper has spent four seasons with the Spartans but this is his first year as a starter. The 6-11 big averages 11.0 points and 7.1 rebounds and plays an important role in the paint on both ends for the Spartans. Cooper had 20 points and 10 rebounds against North Dakota State last week and has been a very efficient scorer, making 63% of his shots over the last three weeks.
Jeremy Fears Jr. (Junior – Guard)
Named both First Team All-Big Ten and a Second Team All-American, it’s plainly clear that Fears is the most important player for the team from East Lansing. An electric point guard in his third season under Izzo, Fears leads the nation in assists and has been good for 15.3 points and 9.4 assists a night. There’s very little Fears cannot do with a basketball on the court and he’s accumulated 27 assists in this Tournament already, including a 12-point, 16-assist effort over Louisville. Fears might not be hitting his shots right now but he’s found ways to put this team on his back.
Jaxon Kohler (Senior – Forward)
It’s year four for Kohler in this system and it’s clearly his best season yet as an anchor in Michigan State’s frontcourt. The Utah native and former Top 50 recruit averages 12.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Not only is he third in the Big Ten in rebounding but Kohler’s also a great defensive presence. Neither of first two performances jumped off the page but he’s scored 22 points in the Tournament and has brought the intensity in this frontcourt and remains a reliable piece.
Jordan Scott (Freshman – Forward)
Compared to the rest of the talent in this lineup, Scott is the newest face and the most impactful freshman on this team. He’s worked his way into the starting five and puts up 5.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game for the Spartans. You’re not going to see big scoring efforts out of Scott but he’s another one of those players who does the little things and can hit important shots for this team, with big potential in the coming years.