Michigan State basketball is currently playing basketball in the Superior Dome for their first exhibition of the 2024-25 season against Tom Izzo’s alma mater Northern Michigan. While, despite this being a unique match-up in an interesting setting, this is another preseason game, it will also be our first look at a team that is much changed from a year ago.
There was a lot of speculation on the starting lineup this year, especially in regards to the center position, so there was a little bit of mystery heading into this one, but we finally got to see what will be assumed to be the starting lineup for the beginning of the regular season as well.
Below, you can see MSU’s starting lineup against Northern Michigan.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Jeremy Fears missed most of last year after suffering a gun shot wound, but will start the season as the starter. There is a lot of excitement around Fears, who is seen as a ‘classic Izzo guy’.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Is this the year where Jaden Akins fully breaks through as one of the top scorers in the Big Ten? The Spartans will give him every opportunity to be that guy.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Tom Izzo went to the portal this offseason to shore up two positions, with Omaha’s Frankie Fidler being the crown jewel of his offseason moves. Fidler is a classic wing scorer and a pure small forward, something this team has lacked in the past few years, largely using ‘tweeners’ in that spot.
Melissa Tamez-Imagn Images
All indications are that Xavier Booker is stronger, bigger, and poised for a huge season. He showed off his talent last year, and he could be one of the best players in the conference.
Nick King/LSJ
Zapala was the other major pick-up for Tom Izzo and the Spartans and will hopefully shore up the center position this season.
- PG Jeremy Fears Jr.
- SG Jaden Akins
- SF Frankie Fidler
- PF Xavier Booker
- C Szymon Zapala
