Michigan State Basketball: Breaking Down Spartans' Top Targets in Class of 2015

Extending offers is the easy part for Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. But getting prospects to sign—the ones he really wants—has been a challenge.

In recent years, the veteran Spartans coach has slipped a bit on the recruiting trails, failing to snag big-time talents—such as Cliff Alexander and Jabari Parker—who were thought to be locks for East Lansing.

However, Izzo’s regrouped, moved forward and has shown shades of old by gaining commitments from Kyle Ahrens, a modestly rated wing/shooter with immense promise, and Deyonta Davis, a 5-star stretch 4 who could be the second coming of Adreian Payne.

As usual, there are several maybes floating around the recruiting land, with Caleb Swanigan—a gritty, 6’8”, 265-pounder out of Muskegon—being on top of that list.

And speaking of said list, it’s time to review.

What Will It Be, Hank?

Henry Ellenson brings a few things to the table, with versatility being his strength. The 6’10”, 230-pound Rice Lake (Wisc.) senior is the No. 4-ranked power forward of 2015, per 247Sports, warranting a 5-star grade.

During a recent interview with Sports in the Mitten, SpartanMag.com’s Paul Konyndyk detailed Ellenson’s progression, along with his roughly four-year relationship with Izzo. Michigan State “really likes” Ellenson, who is supposed to visit Sept. 20 when Spartans football hosts Eastern Michigan.

According to Ben Roberts of Next Cats, a Kentucky recruiting blog, Ellenson met with Kentucky, Michigan State and Marquette this week, his three finalists.

Marquette Nation reports Ellenson will be visiting the Golden Eagles on Sept. 26:

At one time, Ellenson, who impressed this past summer during the Peach Jam in Georgia, was closer to 260 pounds, but he shed a few and began playing away from the basket more often.

According to Konyndyk, Ellenson’s favorite player is Carmelo Anthony. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s trying to mimic the New York Knicks star.

Ellenson’s transformation could be a great thing, and it could be a bad thing: His weight loss could cost him spacing in the paint. Should he choose the Spartans, he’ll be toe-to-toe with guys who, on the low end, will have a significant advantage on the scale.

That idea applies to most conferences, actually. But the Big Ten is known for black and blue. Whether that’s an issue depends on how he’s used.

The Spartans need a player like Ellenson to boost the frontcourt, not necessarily to score from the perimeter and drive the lane like Melo.

Ellenson is ranked No. 4 in ESPN's updated 2015 player rankings, per basketball recruiting writer Chip Miller:

Intermission

The thought of Eric Davis joining Michigan State makes sense. Izzo routinely gets the best in the state, so to entertain the idea of the Saginaw Arthur Hill star running the floor at the Breslin Center wouldn't be crazy.

Nor would it be crazy to think that he'll stay in the state, as the Wolverines have also been hot on his trail. 

However, North Carolina State and Texas have a decent shot at landing the services of the nation's No. 10-ranked shooting guard. It's rare, but it happens. It looks like Davis—a 6'3", 172-pounder—could go south. 

He's supposed to make his decision Tuesday, per Jeremy Mauss of MWCConnection.com: 

Green and White Nik Stauskas?

Spartans followers are familiar with former Michigan star Nik Stauskas.

As a matter of fact, everyone in college basketball has at least heard of the sharpshooter who won the 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year award after making one of the greatest single-season leaps in league history. 

There won’t be another quite like him, but there could be a Stauskas-like player headed toward Michigan State: Matthew McQuaid, a 4-star prospect out of Duncanville High (Texas). The 6’5”, 175-pounder is the No. 19-ranked shooting guard of 2015 (No. 67 overall).

However, he's more than a shooter, evidenced by the video above from Texas Hoops. 

Smooth with Swanigan?

Getting the Fort Wayne Homestead big man would be mission accomplished for Izzo, who desperately needs another rough-and-tumble guy to throw around size down low, own the boards and tout attitude to match. That seems to be Swanigan, who'd bump like Derrick Nix and power finesse like Delvon Roe. 

The 6'8", 265-pounder is an ideal fit for Michigan State, but he's not guaranteed by any stretch.

But Spartans recruiting followers have been envisioning a powerful tandem in the middle, anchored by Swanigan and complemented by his AAU teammate, who's already committed. Spartan Recruits is all about the potential duo:

Follow Bleacher Report's Michigan State Spartans basketball writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81