We continue the recruit and return series with the Michigan State Spartans, whose season ended with a loss to Syracuse on Sunday. A look at what the 2018-19 season could hold:
Possible 2018-19 starting five
G: Matt McQuaid
F: Kenny Goins
Who is lost: Sophomore Miles Bridges isn't likely to make another encore in East Lansing. Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. is a lottery pick if he decides to leave after an outstanding freshman season and Nick Ward could follow both of them into the draft, dealing a blow to the Spartans' frontcourt. Three role players -- Gavin Schilling, Tum Tum Nairn Jr. and Ben Carter -- are out of eligibility. Nairn, a veteran leader and voice of the team, will be missed the most among that trio.
Who is added: The Spartans are hovering around the edge of a top-10 recruiting class this year thanks to the addition of four of the top five players in the state of Michigan. Big men Marcus Bingham and Gabe Brown will both need to spend time in the weight room this summer, but both have the talent to carve out minutes in Michigan State's frontcourt next season. Foster Loyer is an undersized point guard with all of the intangibles needed to keep a big smile of Tom Izzo's face and the talent to be a starter for several years in East Lansing. Thomas Kithier projects as a good fit in the 4 spot for the Spartans in the future. Aaron Henry, the only non-Michigander in the group, should push some of his older teammates in practice before getting his shot down the road.
What it means for next season: The departure of some young talent for the draft will certainly change some of the dynamics, but there is no shortage of basketball talent on the roster. Winston has emerged as a vital facilitator and someone who has the ability to make big plays when they are needed during the last couple of months. His role will grow as he becomes an upperclassman with a boatload of experience. Langford, Goins and McQuaid have all been a part of big moments this season, as well. That institutional knowledge should help the Big Ten's highest-ranked recruiting class get its bearings and keep things rolling for its most storied basketball program.
Trending: Neutral. Michigan State won a Big Ten title this season, and there's no reason to think the Spartans shouldn't be in the conversation for another one next year. Depending on how the NCAA tournament plays out, the most discussed topic around the program this offseason may be how many more years Izzo wants to keep going as he closes in on a quarter-century as the head coach.