For Tom Izzo and the Spartans, it’s a gut punch.
Glenn, a 6-foot-7 forward from Florida Atlantic, was MSU’s crown jewel of the transfer portal — a perfect fit for a wing spot left wide open by the departures of Jaden Akins and others. He wasn’t just a roster addition. He was expected to be a difference-maker.
Last season, Glenn averaged 12.6 points per game and knocked down 41% from beyond the arc, offering the kind of perimeter shooting the Spartans were sorely missing after finishing dead last in the Big Ten in three-point percentage. Now, instead of elevating MSU’s offense, he’ll be watching from the sidelines.
“I feel terrible for Kaleb and for his family,” Izzo said in a heartfelt statement. “He had just started to settle in, getting to know the guys, and now he has to face this. We’ll be with him every step of the way. He’s already become a part of our family.”
A Setback with Ripple Effects
The injury leaves a gaping hole in the Spartans’ rotation — and raises serious questions about depth and readiness at a critical position. Glenn was not just filling a spot. He was expected to stabilize it.
With the Big Ten growing more competitive — seven conference teams rank inside the national top 20 in transfer additions, while MSU sits at No. 62 — the margin for error is razor-thin.
The Spartans’ portal haul includes Samford guard Trey Fort, Miami’s Divine Ugochukwu, and Denham Wojcik, son of assistant coach Doug Wojcik. But none bring the immediate two-way presence Glenn offered.
Now, the spotlight turns to players who weren’t initially expected to carry such a load.
Who Steps Up?
The projected starting backcourt of Jeremy Fears Jr. and Fort will need to shoulder even more responsibility. Coen Carr, fresh off a breakout season, is expected to start at the four, while big men Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler will continue to split minutes at center.
But the wing — Glenn’s domain — remains a mystery.
Incoming freshmen Cam Ward and Jordan Scott were solid in high school, but both face a steep learning curve at the college level. Sophomore Kur Teng, the top-ranked player from Massachusetts in his class, could see expanded minutes. However, Teng struggled in limited action last season, shooting just 21% from the field.
There’s talk of a big-ball lineup featuring Carr, Kohler, and Cooper all on the floor. It’s a physical, rebounding-heavy setup that could help MSU grind out wins — but it doesn’t solve the shooting issue, and it adds questions about spacing and pace.
Carr might be the key. With his athleticism, defensive grit, and ability to finish around the rim, he could be asked to stretch his game and slide over to help fill the gap at the wing. Last season, he shot 33% from three in limited attempts — and he’ll need to be better this time around.
Defense, Depth, and the Izzo Factor
The defensive identity that has long defined Michigan State is also in flux. With the losses of Richardson, Akins, and Holloman — and now Glenn — Izzo’s squad must quickly forge a new chemistry on that end of the floor.
It’s a tall task entering the Hall of Famer’s 31st season at the helm. But if there’s one thing fans have learned about Tom Izzo, it’s to never count him out.
Glenn’s injury is a massive blow. No sugarcoating that. But it’s also a chance — for young players to grow, for leaders to emerge, and for Izzo to once again prove why he’s one of college basketball’s all-time greats.
The road just got tougher. But in East Lansing, tough roads are nothing new.
Let the grind begin.
