The mission for Michigan State basketball this past offseason was pretty simple.

It was clear MSU had the opportunity to be great in 2026-27 from the moment the 2025-26 season ended against UConn in the Sweet 16. A huge core of the team had remaining eligibility, and the Spartans had an elite recruiting class coming in.

There was just one pressing need to address: center. The biggest offseason losses were Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler, who were both highly productive players for Michigan State at the five last year. Kohler is now at BYU for his fifth year, but it certainly feels like he'd still be in East Lansing had the NCAA adopted its new 5-for-5 rule in March rather than June.

MSU's Path to Bonke

Feb 8, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Tigers guard Sincere Parker (23) shoots the ball against Charlotte 49ers center Anton Bonke (49) during the first half at FedExForum.…