Analysis of MSU's roster, player by player

Michigan State opens its men's basketball season Monday night at home against Monmouth. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch breaks down the Spartans' roster.

INTENDED OPENING NIGHT STARTERS

PG Jeremy Fears, 6-2, redshirt freshman

If Fears had been healthy and available at the end of last season, I think he would have been given the keys to the offense sooner. MSU expects him to perform well after a shortened freshman season that ended before January, when he was shot in the leg on Christmas in his hometown. By all reports he is 100% healed. That doesn't mean he's 100% the athlete he once was. But you can see his speed, his determination on defense, his ability to advance the ball in transition and his ability to create the pass first. MSU needs all of that from him and for him to do it at a higher and higher level. And ideally he should also be a good scorer, both inside and out, making him harder to defend on and off the ball.

SG Jaden Akins, 6-4, senior

This team will rely heavily on Akins this season. The question is how much of that is being a good scorer. He didn't shoot well (or much) in the preseason, but he's a proven 40 percent 3-point shooter who has been waiting for this expanded role on offense. And we've already seen signs of it – in how he attacked in MSU's toughest game in Spain in August and how much he had the ball in his hands to shape it for his teammates. To truly understand Akins' role on offense, we need to see this team in stressful situations where they need a basket or an offensive spark. Defensively he will be crucial. And I feel like he really wants to prove that he's a top-notch two-way player.

SF Frankie Fidler, 6-7, senior

Fidler gives MSU the size it lacked on the wing a year ago, a true small forward. The Omaha transfer is a skilled player and a good shooter on multiple levels, with a knack for getting to the free throw line on the break. He will benefit from not receiving as much defensive attention as he did at Omaha, although he will also face more athletic matchups on a regular basis. The questions with Fidler are defensive and on the glass. He needs to be a complete player to be in MSU's best and final lineup.

PF Xavier Booker, 6-11, sophomore

Booker enters his first season in a role where he can be counted on to deliver. He's shown that he's a threat with his outside shot, and he's stronger and much more comfortable than he was last year. But he still needs to develop, particularly in terms of his mindset – he needs to become a more instinctively aggressive player. If he can do that, his athletic talents can be used for him beyond his offensive abilities. Booker developed tremendously last season, so the precedent is there. If he becomes an adequate defender and rebounder and is willing to use his body, he will be one of the better players in the Big Ten and someone the NBA will be happy to add. Because the offensive potential is extremely high.

C Szymon Zapala, 7-0, senior

Zapala has already shown that he will be a helpful part of this team. He gives MSU more size than any other big man. He sees the game well and is quite skilled. It's an evolution from MSU's starting center at the start of last season. He's never been a guy who gets a lot of playing time — neither at Utah State University nor at Longwood — but MSU doesn't need that from him. He needs to be present while he's in there and be an answer to big matchups.

IN ROTATION

F/C Jaxon Kohler, 6-9, junior

Kohler appears to have taken the leap he could have made a year ago had he not suffered a foot injury. Tom Izzo has repeatedly called Kohler the team's best rebounder, and his early returns show he fits that role. If he is a gutsy rebounder and defender, it will be difficult to keep him off the floor. Because there is a lot of potential offensively. We've been saying this for a few years, but he says the game has slowed down for him and he definitely seems more comfortable out there. He also has the green light to shoot from beyond the arc. If Kohler becomes a consistent 3-point threat and shows he can guard different types of power forwards and centers, he will be in MSU's best lineups regardless of the matchup.

F Coen Carr, 6-5, sophomore

Carr looks like someone who realized last season that his exceptional athleticism alone wasn't going to get him far. He's still a long way from a finished product, but he's already shown that he's much more comfortable offensively in the half court, with his willingness to put the ball on the floor and drive, cut to the basket and shoot (even if his outside shots fail). I don't always go in). It's important that he doesn't become a liability offensively as he continues to develop in that regard. What could make him indispensable, however, is a better understanding of how he can use his athletic gifts and strength to impact the game on the plate, in defense and in transition. He will likely play in both striker positions frequently this season.

G Tre Holloman, 6-2, junior

Tom Izzo's confidence in Holloman is as high as any other player on this team. He can play guard on or off the ball, made nearly 43% of his shots from distance last season and is a tenacious defender. Holloman gives MSU's coaching staff peace of mind. His leadership skills and willingness to sweat only make him more likely to be on the field to finish games. In any case, he will play important minutes for the Spartans and you can count on him to impress on both ends.

G Jase Richardson, 6-3, freshman

We've only seen Richardson in tournaments and overseas games, but it's pretty clear he'll be the spark for this team off the bench. And likely a spark MSU can rely on. It is an ideal role because he is able to operate off the ball and occasionally as a point guard without much pressure. Richardson plays with a liveliness and joy that is fun. His defense, ball handling and shooting ability should keep him in the rotation as a rookie.

C Carson Cooper, 6-11, junior

Cooper is currently playing with a broken nose, so it's difficult to fully evaluate him. But MSU needs him to be a strong defender and reliable rebounder when he's in there. Everything else is gravy. It appears he is behind Zapala in the center rotation, but Cooper will play important minutes this season.

G Kur Teng, 6-4, freshman

I think Teng will be a real player at MSU. He could be a valuable player this season, although the reality is that he will likely only see a few minutes per game for now. There just aren't that many minutes available. He has shown that he can shoot and his game is also skillful. We may not see a lot of this until next season.

MORE: Couch: Predicting Michigan State basketball season – Kansas and Maui, the Big Ten and March Madness

IN RESERVE

G/F Gehrig Normand, 6-5, redshirt freshman

Normand suffered a knee injury in early October and should be back soon. It will be interesting to see how quickly he gets back into form and whether he can push for playing time. He's a shooter – that's the skill that brought him to MSU – and he has a year of experience in the MSU program. He will likely fight with Teng in the final minutes of the rotation.

F/C Jesse McCulloch, 6-10, freshman

Izzo said they will make a decision shortly on whether to redshirt McCulloch. My guess is that they do – unless perhaps they think the NCAA rules will change to allow freshmen who play less than 30% of the season to retain the year of eligibility (like in football), which is rumored to be coming soon. In this case, we could see McCulloch frugal and in poor odds. McCulloch has the ability to stretch the floor and he has some size. A good guy to have in the program.

DEEP IN THE RESERVES

G Nick Sanders, 5-10, junior

With Steven Izzo fulfilling his eligibility, Sanders steps into the role of fan favorite, coming off the bench in the final seconds of defeats.

F Brennan Walton, 6-7, freshman

Brennan, an Okemos graduate, will accompany Sanders in the long-decided field games.

F Colin Walton, 6-7, freshman

Colin, Brennan's twin brother, will also see garbage minutes while working as a scout team player.

Contact Graham Couch at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Graham_Couch.