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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Returning Players:</strong> Jeremy Fears Jr., Nick Sanders</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Departed Players:</strong> Tre Holloman</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Transfers In:</strong> Divine Ugochukwu, Denham Wojcik</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Welcome back, TOC Nation! It's time to refocus on what brings us joy—Michigan State basketball—now that we can shift our attention from football. Don't fret; we will still cover this weekend's rivalry game extensively. Michigan State Basketball kicks off its season with two exhibition games starting this Thursday against Bowling Green, and the regular season opener is just two weeks away with a home matchup against Colgate.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In the upcoming two weeks, TOC will unveil its preview series for the 2025-26 basketball season, examining the roster, coaching staff, and schedule to provide our predictions and assessments. Furthermore, to ensure balance, we will also include a preview of the women's team in a separate article.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">To kick things off, let’s dive into the point guard lineup. Coming into the 2024-25 season, there was one main question: How would Jeremy Fears perform after recovering from a gunshot wound that cut short his freshman season? Additionally, could he secure the starting position over Tre Holloman? Coach Tom Izzo validated Fears' capabilities by giving him a start in the opening game. Despite some initial rust, he proved reliable and maintained his starting position, although Holloman ultimately found his way back into the lineup later in the season.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This year, the situation is clearer. Fears is returning as a redshirt sophomore after receiving a medical redshirt for his first season at East Lansing. Conversely, Tre Holloman surprised fans by entering the transfer portal shortly after MSU’s NCAA Tournament exit, opting for NC State to pursue a starting role—only to find another player likely take that position instead. Back at East Lansing, the point guard rotation will now include transfers Divine Ugochukwu from Miami and Denham Wojcik from Harvard.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Jeremy Fears Jr. (#1, Redshirt Sophomore, 6’2”, 190 lbs)</strong></p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Last season, Fears demonstrated that he had fully recovered from his injury. He played 22 minutes in the opening game against Monmouth, recording 8 assists and a block—an aspect that became a frequent highlight of his defensive efforts. Though he only scored three points that day, he gradually showed his scoring potential throughout the season, finishing with averages of 7.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in approximately 24 minutes per game.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In his second season leading the offense for Coach Izzo, fans can expect even more from Fears. This offseason, he has trained with former NBA player Mike Miller to enhance his shooting consistency. Additionally, Fears has focused on improving his conditioning over the offseason, which should help boost his agility and athleticism, thereby enhancing his capacity for steals, blocks, and transition plays.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">A positive development from the offseason is that Fears led his team to the Moneyball Pro-Am title, reflecting a personal win amid his brother Jeremiah being drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans. This could inspire Jeremy to pursue a professional career similar to his brother’s. This year, he'll serve as one of four captains on the team.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Divine Ugochukwu (#99, Sophomore, 6’3”, 190 lbs)</strong></p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Divine Ugochukwu joined Michigan State from Miami following the midseason retirement of Hurricanes coach Jim Larrañaga. Ugochukwu stepped up as the starting point guard for the Canes after the original starter was injured, averaging 4.5 points and 3.4 assists in this role. While Miami struggled in those games, his contribution was significant as they recorded their first conference wins after a tough start.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">A key concern regarding Ugochukwu is his three-point shooting efficiency, having converted only 17.6% of his attempts during his time at Miami, a stark contrast to his overall field goal percentage of 48.3%. Improving this area will be crucial for his impact at MSU, where coaching should emphasize shooting development.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">On defense, however, Ugochukwu excels. He is known for his energetic play, athleticism, and quickness, making him a reliable defender. Even if the offense takes a hit during his minutes, his defensive skills should keep the team competitive.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><strong>Denham Wojcik (#10, Graduate, 6’2”, 190 lbs)</strong></p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Denham Wojcik may not be a primary contributor this season but brings valuable insight and leadership to the team. His experience as a coach's son and his education from Harvard contribute to his basketball intelligence. Denham sat out last season due to surgery but previously averaged 15.6 minutes per game in his junior year at Harvard, scoring 2.5 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 rebounds.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Given his father's position on the coaching staff and his history at local events like Moneyball Pro-Am, Denham has already established connections with his new teammates, fostering rapport that will strengthen team dynamics.</p>
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<p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">I predict Jeremy Fears will average around 27-30 minutes per game, with Ugochukwu handling the remaining minutes. If combined, these players should aim for at least 12 points along with 10 assists each game while maintaining solid defensive efforts, setting a positive tone for the upcoming 2025-26 season for MSU.</p>
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