EAST LANSING -- Among Michigan State's many tasks as it spends the next six weeks preparing for the 2018-19 season: figuring out how to replace a unicorn.
The label of unicorn, basketball parlance for a big man who has the skills and athleticism of a guard, was often applied to former Spartans forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
In one year at Michigan State last year, Jackson was at the same time an elite shot blocker, 3-point shooter and post-up threat. He brought a total package rarely seen in a Spartans uniform.
Now, Jackson is gone to the NBA, and Michigan State has a hole to fill in its starting lineup and no more unicorns to fill it.