BREAKING: Xavier Booker Will Start For Michigan State vs. Ohio State

After weeks (or months) of clamoring for the five-star freshman, Michigan State fans are finally going to see their wish come true. Head coach Tom Izzo just confirmed on his pre-game radio show that Xavier Booker will make his first career start for the Spartans today against Ohio State, in place of senior center Mady Sissoko.

Izzo has been hinting at an increased role for Booker for weeks now, and it appears the freshman's time has finally arrived. So far this season, the 6-foot-11 stretch big is averaging just eight minutes per game and has been held out of several Big Ten games this season. Booker is averaging 3.4 points per game while shooting 45% from the field and 36.7% from the 3-point line. The freshman has added 1.7 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game in limited playing time.

Michigan State has struggled to find consistent production from its center position throughout the year. Sissoko has struggled mightily over the past couple weeks, and while sophomore Carson Cooper is a solid defender and rebounder, he's limited at the offensive end of the floor. Fellow sophomore Jaxon Kohler has played well at times since returning from injury, but is still working his way into a consistent role with the Spartans.

That leads to Booker, who has added roughly 20-25 pounds to his 6-foot-11 frame since the beginning of the season. Both Izzo and Booker's teammates described the freshman's increased physicality and toughness in recent weeks, and those qualities have finally earned an increased level of trust from Izzo towards Booker. We'll keep a close eye on how Booker holds up defensively and on the glass today against the Buckeyes, but there's little doubt the freshman should make Michigan State more potent on the offensive end. 

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