Michigan State basketball: Projected starting 5 with Tyson Walker returning

This may be the biggest question mark right now outside of Malik Hall because, well, we just don’t know what Jaden Akins is planning on doing with Tyson Walker back.

I do believe we’ll see him enter his name in the NBA draft and test the waters to get some feedback, but then hopefully he returns to Michigan State with a larger emphasis on creating for himself. He’s a great shooter so Tom Izzo won’t want him to completely veer away from that, but his strength has always been shot creation dating back to his high school days.

With three guards in the starting lineup, it may be tough to share the ball-handling duties, but I think we could see more of that from Akins next season.

Heading into his junior year, Akins is one of the best players on the team and his potential is endless. He averaged 9.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore, way up from his freshman totals, and he shot 42 percent from deep. And he did all of this improving while overcoming a foot injury that plagued him for months.

Just imagine what a fully healthy offseason and junior year could do for him.

I think Akins will come back and we’ll see his role evolve a little more to adhere to his strengths.