When Tom Izzo made the decision a few games ago to shuffle Michigan State’s starting lineup, it wasn’t just about shaking things up - it was a calculated move to address a growing concern at the two-guard spot. Kur Teng moved to the bench, Trey Fort’s minutes were trimmed, and freshman Divine Ugochukwu got the nod to start. It was less about rewarding Ugochukwu and more about filling a need, but the opportunity was there for him to seize.
And seize it he did - at least at first.
In his first start, Ugochukwu looked like a player ready for the spotlight. He dropped a career-high 23 points, played with confidence, and helped lead the Spartans to their second Big Ten win.
It was the kind of breakout performance that makes a coach look like a genius. Izzo’s move not only helped stabilize the starting lineup but also added some scoring punch off the bench with Teng, while Fort slid into a more situational role.
But as is often the case with young players, consistency has been hard to come by.
Since that standout performance, Ugochukwu has gone quiet. Over the last two games, he's scored just two points, grabbed two rebounds, and hasn’t registered a single assist. The energy and decisiveness he showed in his debut start have faded, and it’s fair to wonder if the position switch - moving from point guard duties to more of a true shooting guard role - has thrown him off rhythm.
At the same time, Izzo’s lineup change didn’t just affect the starting five. It also elevated Denham Wojcik into the backup point guard role.
And while Wojcik has had a few moments, his first extended run against Penn State showed he’s still adjusting to the speed and physicality of Big Ten basketball. He’s settled in a bit since, but asking him to be the first guard off the bench in high-leverage conference games might be asking too much right now.
That’s why it might be time to revisit Ugochukwu’s role - not by cutting his minutes, but by sliding him back into the backup point guard spot.
This isn’t a knock on Ugochukwu’s ability to play the two. His recent struggles don’t erase the upside he flashed in that 23-point performance.
But the drop-off in offensive cohesion when Wojcik is running the point is noticeable, especially against top-tier Big Ten defenses. Wojcik can still be a valuable third option, someone who gives you 5-7 solid minutes in the right matchup, but he’s undersized and can be a defensive mismatch against some of the bigger, more physical guards in the league.
Ugochukwu, on the other hand, has the size and athleticism to hold his own - and then some.
Even if it means he has to take on more ball-handling duties, having Ugochukwu spell Jeremy Fears Jr. at point guard makes sense. Fears is logging heavy minutes, and Ugochukwu can still slide over to the two when Fears is on the floor. It’s a flexible solution that keeps your best perimeter defenders on the court and maintains offensive fluidity.
This Michigan State team has the talent to make a real run in the Big Ten, but they can’t afford to give away possessions or minutes with mismatches that opposing teams will exploit. Wojcik can still contribute - just in a more limited role. Ugochukwu’s versatility gives Izzo the option to tighten the rotation without sacrificing depth.
It’s not about punishing anyone - it’s about putting the team in the best position to win. And right now, that means getting Ugochukwu back to where he’s most impactful: as the first guard off the bench, ready to run the offense or shift to the two depending on what the game demands.