Michigan State Basketball: Projected starters, bench for 2017-18 season

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Jan 31, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Gavin Schilling (34) brings the ball up court against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Bench

The bench will be absolutely loaded next season, especially if the Spartans land the aforementioned Brandon McCoy who could be a starter from day one at center. That would leave a wealth of players on the bench who could easily start on most Izzo-coached teams.

Must Read: 5 reasons Brandon McCoy is the top remaining 2017 target

Here’s what the bench will look like, in terms of first players off the pine.

6. Gavin Schilling, Senior, PF: The senior will get a fifth year after suffering a tough knee injury before the 2016-17 season. While he won’t be the go-to big like he was expecting to be this season, he will still have a major role off the bench. He might begin the season as the starter in the post alongside Ward, but Schilling would eventually take a back seat to McCoy, if he commits.

7. Tum Tum Nairn, Senior, PG: As much as people like to moan and groan about Tum Tum, he’s earned a spot in the rotation because of his leadership. He is a major offensive liability, but Izzo loves his defense and ability to push the ball up the floor. He won’t start over Cassius next season, though.

8. Jaren Jackson Jr., Freshman, PF: This kid has the length and shot-blocking ability to be a defensive stopped in the post. However, he needs to add a little weight in order to be able to play prominent minutes as a freshman. He is talented and can even step out to the 3-point line and stretch the defense. Added muscle will make him an All-Freshman team player.

9. Matt McQuaid, Junior, SG: It’s time to get McQuaid to figure out his jumper again. He came on at the end of the season as a better shooter, but he made about 40 percent of his threes as a freshman. If he can become that 3-point specialist off the bench, you might just see him playing as much as he did this season, or more.

10. Xavier Tillman, Freshman, PF: It’s tough to see how Tillman would fit into the rotation as a prominent player if McCoy picks Michigan State, but there would definitely be a role for him, similar to that of Ward. He’s a strong post player with a college-ready body who can even make jumpers. Don’t let his size fool you, he’s fairly athletic.

11. Kenny Goins/Kyle Ahrens, Juniors, SF: Both of these guys were forced to play out of position this season, but that’s not going to happen next year. They won’t play nearly as much being the 11th or 12th guys in the rotation, but they aren’t pushovers.

12. Greg Elliott, Freshman, SG (Redshirted): While I think Elliott could help with the depth at the wing, especially if Brian Bowen commits elsewhere, I just think he’d be better served as a redshirt player. He could develop his game in year one as a practice squad star and he would earn big minutes in 2018-19.

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