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'Big year' coming for Coen Carr?
Michigan State junior's always been an all-world dunker. But Tom Izzo notes a changed shot could portend big things for the forward. Plus: USC may not have its 5-star freshman this season, Loyola Chicago adds a '26 shot blocker, Vols' recruit gets eligibility boost, conference pairings for American and WAC, and much more.
Mike Miller
July 24, 2025
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1. Tom Izzo says Coen Carr ‘changed his shot’
Want an impossible task? Rank Coen Carr’s best dunk at Michigan State.
His picturesque tomahawk dunk at Rutgers in January?
This lean-back transition slam against FAU in December?
This alley-oop vs. Minnesota was SportsCenter’s top play.
Him dunking over this poor Samford guy? Or when he skied over this Alcorn State player as a freshman?
Maybe when Bill Raftery enthusiastically watched a March Madness flush?
Heck, even the non-dunks are remarkable.
Carr’s dunks are a cottage industry on Twitter/X.com. They garner thousands of likes and RTs and even more for the compilations.
Coen Carr dunk reel, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒-𝟐𝟓 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 😲
#B1GMBBall x @MSU_Basketball
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork)
7:39 PM • Mar 11, 2025
Carr’s entering his junior season. He’s played in 72 career games and assumed a larger role as a sophomore as the first or second guy off the bench. He’s a fan favorite, but this is the season when the Spartans need more from Carr. He’s made one career start, and while he shoots 63% from the field, he’s a wing whose eFG% (62.2%) is lower than his actual field-goal percentage. He’s not a threat from deep and is one-dimensional as a player. (Ah, but what a strength.)
So can Carr get better? Coach Tom Izzo sure thinks so.
Per @msucontent, Izzo noted that Carr “changed his shot, changed his free throws, now he’s gotta defend, he’s gotta rebound a little bit better. I expect him to have a big year.”
As Rob Dauster and Mike LaTulip mentioned in our Michigan State Offseason Grades report, the Spartans need Carr to thrive. With FAU transfer Kaleb Glenn out for the season because of an injury, it means more production will be needed from Carr.
Izzo’s system thrives when he has experienced players who can be physical, run the floor and defend. Carr fits all three. Someone with Carr’s physical gifts should be able to raise his overall production, particularly with rebounds and blocks. But with even the hint of a reliable 3-point shot from a “changed shot,” well, that’s something that could elevate Carr from a dunker to an All-Big Ten player.
And elevate the Spartans to yet another Sweet 16.
2. USC may not have its top freshman this season
Incoming USC wing Alijah Arenas had a traumatic incident this spring that resulted in an induced coma and an extended hospital stay.
His summer didn’t get any better.
