East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State appears to be angling toward getting some good news in the transfer portal today in its chase for 6-foot-7 wing shooter Frankie Fidler.
Fidler, who played the past three seasons at Omaha, is likely to make a decision early this week, according to sources. Michigan State was regarded as the leader for Fidler’s services following his official visit to East Lansing during the weekend of April 13. SpartanMag has forecasted a commitment to Michigan State soon, possibly as soon as today.
Fidler averaged 20 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists for Omaha this past season. He shot 35 percent from 3-point range.
Fidler, of Bellevue, Neb., has led Omaha in points, rebounds and steals in each of the past two seasons.
Fidler was named first-team All-Summit League in 2023-24, and was second-team as a sophomore in 2022-23.
Wisconsin, Nebraska and Creighton have been among the teams competing with Michigan State for Fidler. Wisconsin was regarded as the leader prior to Fidler’s visit to Michigan State, but the Spartans have since pulled into the lead.
WHERE HE WOULD FIT
Fidler would fill Michigan State’s need for a wing guard with good length. The Spartans played the past two seasons without a wing guard taller than 6-foot-4. That left Michigan State susceptible to defensive matchup problems and also led to offensive issues against teams with good defensive length on the perimeter.
If Fidler becomes a Spartan, it would give Michigan State a balanced backcourt led by Fidler, 6-foot-4 wing guard Jaden Akins, point guard Jeremy Fears, and combo guard Tre Holloman. Holloman theoretically can come off the bench to sub in for Akins or Fears. Or Holloman could press for extended time at point guard as Fears continues to recover from a gunshot wound sustained last December.
Incoming freshman combo guard Jase Richardson and wing guard Kur Teng will also push for a role.
THE BOOK ON FIDLER
Fidler excelled as a spot-up shooter for Omaha, using a high, quick release to get his shot off against quick close-outs.
Fidler has a deceptively strong build, which helps his crafty face-up game. He mixes decent ball handling skill with good body control to finish with glassers, and pull-up jumpers at medium range. He can also finish near the rim with either hand.
SpartanMag reviewed Omaha’s 82-60 loss at TCU in November. In that game, Fidler spent time guarding Micah Peavy, a 6-foot-8, honorable mention All-Big 12 guard. Fidler also guarded 6-foot-7 forward Charles O’Bannon. Neither player did meaningful damage against Fidler. TCU never ran isolation plays to attack Fidler on defense.
Fidler has decent lateral quickness on defense and is mindful of moving his feet in acquire and maintain defensive positioning versus dribble drives. He doesn’t have plus quickness for defense, but does a good job of making up for it by playing with smart feet and utilizing good core strength.
He has pretty good straight-line speed, which wasn’t utilized a lot in TCU’s system, but he would be tasked with sprinting the sidelines as part of Michigan State’s transition game for catch-and-shoot opportunities. He runs well enough to get that done, capable of punctuating with a good, quick-release shooting stroke.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo at times has to get on some of his players to shoot when they’re open. He wouldn’t have that problem with Fidler. He’s not shy about letting it fly.
Defenders get out tight on Fidler, far from the basket. He is comfortable getting into triple-threat position, utilizing a jab step and sweep-through moves to drive. He is an unselfish player with the drive-and-dish, ranking second on the team with 86 assists.
Fidler is mindful and disciplined in his defensive box-outs. He elevates reasonably well as a rebounder.
Fidler is the first guy to run and help a teammate off the floor when they’ve gone to the deck – something that Izzo certainly noticed when reviewing film.
As a best-case scenario player and resumé comparison, Illinois’ Marcus Domask might fit. Domask is an inch shorter, and the same weight. Domask shot 35 percent from 3-point range and averaged 16.7 points and 5.8 rebounds as a senior at Southern Illinois in 2022-23 before transferring to Illinois last year.
Domask averaged 15.9 and 5.0 for the Illini this past season while shooting 29.7 percent from 3-point range.
Fidler might be a bit better as a spot-up shooter, but Domask is a little more damaging off the dribble. Both are quality passers. Domask faced slightly better mid-major competition in the Missouri Valley Conference than Fidler did in the Summit League.
WHAT’S NEXT
Michigan State made a run at Oakland University transfer Trey Townsend, but seems to be falling off the pace. Last week, Townsend scheduled a visit for Michigan State for today. However, Tony Paul of The Detroit News reported on Monday evening that Townsend canceled that visit and will decide between Michigan, Arizona and Ohio State.
Michigan State has been in the market for a big wing guard, such as Fidler, since the portal opened. Michigan State would also would like to find a hybrid three/four. Townsend fit the latter category as a four, but would have been experimental as a three. With sophomore-to-be Xavier Booker looming on the Michigan State roster, it’s going to be hard for Michigan State to find a scoring power forward such as Townsend, who was Horizon League Player of the Year this past season.
Sources tell SpartanMag that Michigan State is also scouting the portal for a center.
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