Michigan State battles Wolverines for 7-foot-2 transfer portal target originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
There's no basketball being played right now, but that isn't stopping the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines from embracing their in-state rivalry.
The pair of Big Ten programs is going after the same 7-foot-2 transfer, and if one lands him over the other, it could have major implications.
Moustapha Thiam is transferring away from Cincinnati and seems to be wanted by both schools.
College basketball insider Jon Rothstein has reported that Thiam will visit Michigan on Monday. A previous report from Rothstein had indicated that Michigan State was in contact with Thiam.
Thiam began his college career at Central Florida in 2024-25. While at UCF, he started all 34 games he played and averaged 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and a conference-leading 2.6 blocks per game.
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He then joined Cincinnati for the 2025-26 season and started every game again. He put up 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
Thiam does shoot 3-pointers, taking 2.0 per game in his college career, but has only made them at a 29.0% clip so far. He's a 57.6% shooter inside the arc and 64.7% from the foul line.
His length enhances his finishing inside and his defensive ability in the paint. Whether or not he ever figures out the outside shot more, Thiam will be an impactful player.
He may simply have to decide whether he'd rather head to East Lansing or Ann Arbor.
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