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Michigan State basketball: Starting lineup options for next season

By Mike Phillips

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Aaron Henry #11 and Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Aaron Henry #11 and Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 29: Michigan State Spartans guard Joshua Langford (1) looks on during a non-conference college basketball game between Michigan State and Northern Illinois on December 29, 2018, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, MI. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 29: Michigan State Spartans guard Joshua Langford (1) looks on during a non-conference college basketball game between Michigan State and Northern Illinois on December 29, 2018, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, MI. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Best Case Scenario

  • Point Guard: Cassius Winston
  • Shooting Guard: Joshua Langford
  • Small Forward: Aaron Henry
  • Power Forward: Xavier Tillman
  • Center: Nick Ward

Given how the year played out for Michigan State, this is their most likely scenario, and it would be a dream for Izzo and Spartans’ fans. The losses of McQuaid and Goins to graduation were definitely anticipated, but this scenario sees no further defections from East Lansing.

Nick Ward flirted with the pros a year ago, but a hand injury severely limited him down the stretch, and he isn’t even projected as a potential second round pick in most mock drafts. This gives the big man an added incentive to return to school to finish his college career, where he will be a force for the Spartans in the post.

Michigan State will need to fill two spots in the starting lineup though, and they can turn to experienced players to fill them. The other forward spot that Goins played can go to Xavier Tillman, who stepped up in Ward’s absence to become a dependable scoring presence down low.

In terms of replacing McQuaid, the most logical pick to take that spot on the wing is Aaron Henry. Henry, who drew Izzo’s ire in the Spartans’ first round win over Bradley, entered the lineup late in the year and should be able to build on that going forward.