Michigan State basketball: Projected starting 5 with Tyson Walker returning

The news we’ve all been waiting for is official: Tyson Walker is returning to Michigan State basketball for one more season.

That means that the Spartans are one step closer to finalizing that roster which features Walker, AJ Hoggard, the No. 3 incoming recruiting class, and potentially Jaden Akins. We’re still waiting to see if and when Akins tests the NBA waters and if Malik Hall decides to come back.

But with Walker making it official, here’s what the starting five would look like with the current confirmed roster.

This one is pretty easy to predict. AJ Hoggard is the best facilitator on the team and one of the best the Big Ten has to offer. There’s a reason he’s considered an All-Big Ten player and it’s because of his combination of passing skills and aggression with the ball in his hands. If it weren’t for Hoggard, that Kansas State game would have never gone to overtime.

Hoggard was fantastic in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 16.3 points and 5.0 assists per game and he shot 50 percent from the floor and 2-for-3 from deep.

Returning as arguably the best point guard in the conference, I could see Hoggard having an All-Big Ten first-team type of season, especially with his backcourt mate returning.

AJ averaged 12.9 points and 5.9 assists per game while improving his 3-point shooting and free throw shooting tenfold from his sophomore season. He’ll make a big jump as a player and leader as a senior.