Michigan State basketball is stuck in a peculiar spot, losing three players to the transfer portal, but more importantly, losing two guards to the portal.
Now, head coach Tom Izzo is in a spot where he is going to have to dip into the transfer portal to find a couple of guards. While there is an in-state recruit that the Spartans could potentially pursue, newer additions are going to have to happen in the portal and not from the high school ranks.
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There are several positions of need for MSU, via the portal, but none more important than finding a starting shooting guard. Kur Teng, a rising sophomore on the roster, is definitely an option for Izzo, but after a year that he only played in 19 games and averaging 3.1 minutes per game, more experience is needed at the position.
It is impossible to really know who the Spartans are going to pursue, as Izzo and company keep everything very close to the vest, to go along with the portal having close to a thousand players inside of it, but here we compiled a list of 10 players that would fit the criteria of a shooting guard the Spartans would look at:
Aidan Mahaney (UConn)
Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Aidan Mahaney (20) controls the ball during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
Personally, Mahaney is the number one want on my list for the starting SG vacancy. The UConn transfer is moving on after one year in Storrs, which might have been a disappointing season, but there is no denying the skillset he would bring to the role.
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A 3-point shooter that can put the ball on the floor and score inside the arc, Mahaney has a scoring touch to go along with defense and playmaking abilities. If MSU could tap into the player that we saw at St. Mary’s they could find themselves a gem.
After a tough season, Mahaney should come at a discount, and someone hungry to reprove themselves.
Josh Dix (Iowa)
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Josh Dix (4) hesitates before rushing past Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) on Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the second round of the men’s Big Ten tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 106-94.
Dix is thought to be one of the best players in the portal, and he is someone that Izzo is very familiar with, while he would also fill the void that has been left. A 6’5″ guard that averaged 14.4 points per game this past season, Dix would bring a scoring touch the Spartans desperately need.
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So, what are the negatives? For starters, Dix is someone that is probably drumming up a bidding war behind the scenes, something Izzo wants no part of. The other thing worth noting, Dix is a pretty putrid defender, and it is well known how importance defense is at Michigan State.
Vyctorius Miller (LSU)
Jan 11, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers guard Vyctorius Miller (0) drives to the basket as Mississippi Rebels guard Dre Davis (14) defends during the first half at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
The first player that MSU has been officially linked to in the portal, Vyctorius Miller from LSU has been reached out to by MSU, showing that there is legit interest.
Miller spent one year at LSU, averaging 8.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. A 6-foot-5 guard, Miller would bring three years of experience to his next stop, and has all the tools Izzo looks for at the position, while carrying eligibility left.
Mekhi Mason (Washington)
Feb 22, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Washington Huskies guard Mekhi Mason (0) goes to the basket as Iowa Hawkeyes forward Pryce Sandfort (24) defends during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Another Big Ten player the Spartans could kick the tires on, Mekhi Mason spent two years at Rice before playing one year at Washington. A 40% 3-point shooter, that also grades well on defense, could be the perfect veteran presence for Michigan State to bring in at the shooting guard spot.
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While he only averaged 9.9 points per game, Mason ended the year playing his best basketball, averaging 14.1 points per game in the final 10 contests of the season. This shows that he needed a small adjustment period to Big Ten basketball, something that MSU would not have to worry about if they bring him in for next year.
Tru Washington (New Mexico)
Mar 23, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; New Mexico Lobos guard Tru Washington (3) dribbles defended by Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) in the second half during the NCAA Tournament Second Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Michigan State got to know Tru Washington very well during the NCAA Tournament this season, with the Spartans playing New Mexico in the Round of 32. Washington is a guard that Izzo would love to have. He is tough as nails, a hard nosed defender and plays his role effectively on offense.
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Indications are starting to point to Washington not following Richard Pitino to Xavier, meaning the door is open for another team to pick up the talented two guard.
Andrew Rohde (Virginia)
Mar 8, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Andrew Rohde (4) shoots against Syracuse Orange guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. (0) during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
A 6-foot-6 guard, Andrew Rohde started his college career at St. Thomas (MN) for a season before playing the last two years at Virginia. A Brookfield, Wisconsin native, Rohde is a 3-and-D type player that fits a similar vibe as Matt McQuaid.
Coming from a school like Virginia, Izzo would know that Rohde is ready to be a tough defender, and get down and dirty in the rebounding department. Rohde averaged 9.3 points, 4.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds, while shooting 41% from three in 2025.
Malik Moore (Montana)
Mar 20, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Montana Grizzlies guard Malik Moore (3) dribbles the ball against Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
An interesting transfer candidate, Malik Moore has one year of eligibility remaining coming from Montana last season, and was at Pepperdine for two seasons to begin his college career. A 40.9% 3-point shooter on over five attempts per game, Moore is lethal from behind the arc, and also has some ball handling skills – helping the Grizzlies run their offense.
JaVaughn Hannah (Western Michigan)
Dec 5, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Western Michigan Broncos guard JaVaughn Hannah (4) celebrates after a basket in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
A player Izzo could get all he needs to know about, JaVaughn Hannah has been a member of Dwayne Stephens program at Western Michigan for the past three seasons. A 6-foot-4 guard from Mount Clemens (MI), Hannah is familiar with the MSU program, and would have a feel for what is expected.
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A physical guard, Hannah averaged 12.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season. While shooting almost 50% from 2-point range, the guard does struggle from 3-point land, only shooting it at a 28.6% clip in his career.
Juan Cranford Jr. (St. Francis – PA)
Mar 18, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash guard Juan Cranford Jr. (4) dribbles the ball defended by Alabama State Hornets guard TJ Madlock (20) in the first half at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
This is getting into the weeds a little bit, and the Spartans will probably look for someone more prolific, but it is worth noting that Izzo loves getting under the radar players. Izzo is also familiar with Dayton, Ohio’s Wayne High School, where Cranford is a product of.
In one year with St. Francis (PA), Cranford averaged 9.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on 44.6% percent shooting (37.9% from 3). After assuming an increased role with the team, though, Cranford averaged over 13 points per game. With three years of eligibility, Cranford has the building blocks to be a nice addition to the MSU program.
Myles Colvin (Purdue)
USC Trojans forward Saint Thomas (0) defends Purdue Boilermakers guard Myles Colvin (5) Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Another name Izzo is going to have a ton of familiarity with, Myles Colvin is someone that spent two years at Purdue, but needs a change of scenery. Colvin is the type of guard that Izzo loves to have, a fierce defender with good playmaking skills on offense.
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While only averaging 5.4 points per game this past season, Colvin has talent, and a change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered to fix his problems on the offensive end.
Anyone else
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts to a play against Auburn during the first half of the Elite Eight round of NCAA tournament at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
At the end of the day, Izzo and his assistants are grinding through film and could uncover any player in the portal and deem them as a fit, so it is important to stay on the lookout for any progressive developments with MSU and the portal.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State basketball has a slew of SG options in the portal
