Coveted point guard transfer Tyson Walker commits to Michigan State basketball

Hey, who said there would be no good Michigan State basketball news this March?

MSU got some much-needed help in the backcourt in the transfer portal over the weekend in former Northeastern guard Tyson Walker.

The reigning Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year picked the Spartans over a final list that included Kansas, Maryland, Texas, Miami (FL.) and Vanderbilt.

The 6-foot point guard averaged 18.8 points and 4.8 assists per game in Northeastern’s 10-9 season. He shot 35.4 percent from three-point land and shot 77.2 percent from the free-throw line, averaging 4.8 free throw attempts per game. Add in his 2.4 steals per game, and it’s easy to see why he was highly sought after early on in the transfer season.

What this means for MSU

It can’t be understated how big this is for Michigan State as, you can remember, the Spartans desperately needed an experienced ball-handler.

This gives MSU a likely day one starter (assuming Walker is immediately eligible) with A.J. Hoggard and incoming freshman Jaden Akins playing behind him. Should Foster Loyer also return, it would be a four-deep stack at point guard that’s now headed up by a guy you feel pretty good about in Walker. It also gives freedom for Rocket Watts to play off-ball full time, which is more than ideal.

What’s the scholarship situation

Even with Jack Hoiberg and Josh Langford announcing they are leaving the program, MSU is at 15 scholarship players for next season. You are allotted 13. If Aaron Henry goes to the NBA, that’s 14 and still one over the limit (how’s that for some math?).

So, that says the obvious — we should expect at least one more guy leaving the program. This staff didn’t go out and get a point guard in the transfer portal to go over the scholarship limit on accident. They know more guys are leaving.