Michigan State basketball: Updated starting lineup predictions for Spartans

Let’s take a look at the latest projected lineup for Michigan State.

The Michigan State Spartans were definitely one of the teams most impacted by the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic. The team was peaking, in typical Tom Izzo fashion, in March and were a dark horse pick to win the whole thing.

Izzo has already lost Cassius Winston to graduation while Aaron Henry and Xavier Tillman are testing the NBA draft waters. Their decisions are still looming but let’s take a look at the latest projected starting five for Michigan State.

Projected Michigan State basketball starting lineup: PG Rocket Watts

Replacing Winston, one of the greatest Spartans to ever take the floor, won’t be easy. One of the biggest questions Michigan State has to answer this season is who will fill Winston’s shoes at the point.

At the moment that responsibility will fall to Rocket Watts, a natural point guard who moved off the ball last season. Watts was able to play alongside Winston and learn from him, an experience that should be invaluable for the sophomore going forward.

Michigan State is also in play for Karim Mane, a five-star point guard out of Canada who is draft eligible but considering a year in college. Mane is likely to land in East Lansing if he goes to college and would presumably start ahead of Watts if that does happen.