EAST LANSING – Tom Izzo revealed he plans to redshirt Michigan State Basketball Jesse McCullouch, freshman.
With a caveat or two. And a lot of hype and hope for the future.
“If someone got hurt or I don’t like the way someone’s playing,” Izzo said after Monday’s season-opening 81-57 win over Monmouth. “This kid wears a red shirt because he’s good enough. He doesn’t wear a red shirt because he’s not good enough.
McCullouch is currently in a bind behind big men Xavier Booker, Szymon Zapala, Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper in the Spartans’ frontcourt. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward did not play in the opener after logging five scoreless minutes in each of MSU’s two exhibition games in October against Division II opponents.
Against Northern Michigan, McCulloch had a rebound, an assist and a blocked shot. Against Ferris State, he missed his only free throw and committed two fouls but grabbed three rebounds with a block.
“You people in the red shirts, for two reasons. And he’s not redshirted all the time,” Izzo said. “Football has this rule, they can play four games, they can bowl and still be eligible. In basketball, you play two exhibition games and you’re dead. I think we’ve done a poor job as an association of understanding this to some extent, so we need to do it now.
McCulloch averaged 22.4 points, 14.1 rebounds, 4.3 blocks and 2.0 assists per game as a senior last winter for Lutheran East High in Cleveland. He was rated a three-star prospect and the No. 171 player nationally, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings of the 2024 class.
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“That’s definitely what the team needs,” McCulloch said of a potential redshirt last month at MSU’s media day. “Whatever coach says, I’m ready. Otherwise, ‘Hey, I’m just going to get better every day.’ That’s all I really care about, getting better every day. And then, in time, your time will come. You won’t be able to hide from it.
Izzo praised McCulloch and his parents, who redshirted after speaking with Izzo over the weekend. He added that if there was a reversal of the decision, it would happen before January.
“He’s tougher than nails,” Izzo said. “You’re talking about a guy who brings some toughness. He is more Al Anagonyeexcept he can shoot for 3 seconds. I could make a point of not red-shirting him. … I don’t want to play him four minutes a game and ruin his eligibility, because I think he and his family have been one of the loyal people we’ve had. I’m not worried about him leaving.
Izzo, who said he wants McCulloch to get stronger and faster, also gave two other lofty comparisons for his young big man: NBA stars Draymond Green and Xavier Tillman.
“I’ve been talking about a guy I redshirt for a long time – read between the lines, there’s a reason. I really think this kid has a chance to be really good,” Izzo said. “I mean, he’s in the mold of a bigger guy than Xavier Tillman, he shoots better. He’s got a decent basketball IQ, maybe not as good as Xavier I would say foot quickness, he needs to improve.
“But he’s in that kind of mold, and so I’m looking forward to that too. That means I’m staying.
This last part will be good news for McCulloch, who was delighted with his first months of learning under Izzo.
“It’s on par and more, to be honest,” he said. “He’s a great coach who coaches with a lot of passion. So to be here in this environment with him as a coach is incredible. I just know I’m going to get better every day, and that’s all I can ask for a coach.”
Contact Chris Solari: [email protected]. Follow him @chrissolari.
This article was originally published on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State basketball: Freshman Jesse McCulloch likely to redshirt
