Couch: Breaking down Michigan State's 2018-19 basketball roster, player by player

Michigan State’s basketball team could be better in certain ways next season – even without Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr.

College basketball is a guard’s game. As Cassius Winston and Joshua Langford become upperclassman, as Matt McQuaid becomes a senior, as freshman Foster Loyer becomes Winston’s backup, there’s a chance this becomes a backcourt that can take MSU places. 

It’s hard to imagine those places a day or so after Winston, Langford and McQuaid combined to make 6 of 31 shots in a NCAA tournament loss to Syracuse. 

However, it’s not their shooting that needs to take the next step as much as their ability to create for themselves (Winston, McQuaid) and others (Langford). 

A lineup with Winston, Langford and McQuaid, with Nick Ward and Xavier Tillman platooning at center, has a chance to develop into into something more fluid than what we saw this season — minus MSU’s two NBA lottery picks, one of whom was learning to play guard this past season.

The Spartans won’t be quite as long and athletic on defense or as intimidating in layup lines. But as long as Ward and Tillman aren’t playing together and tripping over each other, there’s potential. 

How five incoming freshmen fit in is uncertain. Some will have to play a role. Loyer and power forward Marcus Bingham almost certainly. 

Here’s a player-by-player look at the projected 2018-19 MSU basketball roster:

Possible starters

Cassius Winston, Jr., PG: MSU became Winston’s team over the last few months. It needs to become his program next season. Winston is rare in how he sees the game. But he was the conductor of an orchestra that was rarely in tune this past season, despite 30 wins. The ball will be in his hands even more moving forward. That’s good for MSU. He led the Big Ten in assists (6.9 per game) and 3-point percentage (49.7), both by a mile. He was also second in free-throw percentage (90.0). The question is whether he can become a guard that can turn a corner and attack the basket without a ball-screen. MSU really lacked that component in its offense this season.

Joshua Langford, Jr., G: MSU coaches want Langford to be some combination of Gary Harris and Denzel Valentine. He’s not as quick as Harris and doesn’t see the court like Valentine. But Langford became an A-level defender during the second half of the season. Expanding his offensive repertoire is important. He can create his own jump shot off the dribble and is a 40-percent 3-point shooter. If he could get his 3-point percentage to 45 percent — where Valentine was as a senior — you’d notice the difference. He doesn’t get to the rim with confidence or finish well on the drive. He’s a good ball-handler, so the potential is there, even if he’s not an above-the-rim athlete.

Matt McQuaid, Sr., G: If Matt McQuaid could follow in Travis Trice’s footsteps — a three-year reserve and role player who flourishes as a senior — Tom Izzo and Co. would be thrilled. He made 39 percent of his 3-point attempts this past season and became a more consistent producer later in the year. But, offensively, he was essentially a specialist. And 39 percent isn’t a high average at the college level for a player taking more than 75 percent of his shots from long range. McQuaid, who’s a terrific perimeter defender (underrated because of his appearance), should get a shot to start next year. He has the game to be more than a spot-up shooter (one who still passes up too many looks). We’ll see if he shows it.

Marcus Bingham, Fr., F: Bingham, who is 6-foot-10 with a 7-4 wingspan, says he tries to pattern his game after Kevin Durant. It should be noted that no one other than Bingham and one headline writer are comparing his game now to Durant’s. Bingham, from Grand Rapids Catholic Central, is rail-thin, but his length and versatility could be an asset out of the gate. He is the highest rated of MSU’s incoming recruits, ranked between No. 55 and 65 nationally. He is not the one-and-done prospect Jaren Jackson Jr. was. 

RELATED: Marcus Bingham came from the bottom to be state's No. 1 prospect

Nick Ward, Jr., C: I think there’s about a 75 percent chance Ward returns for his junior season. There’s also decent chance he’ll test the NBA draft waters, where he’ll learn there isn’t a large market for 6-8 post scorers who lack the ability to extend defenses. That’s the next step for Ward and he knows it — developing the 17-foot-jumper that gives him a shot at the next level, where his lack of length is otherwise a problem. We saw it against Syracuse. He has a knack for scoring from all sorts of angles, just like Zach Randolph, who was an inch or so taller and developed an outside shot in the NBA. Ward’s return would give MSU a go-to scorer on the low block. With Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. gone, Ward would be featured more prominently. 

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Reserves

Xavier Tillman, So., C: By the time next season rolls around, it might be hard not to start Tillman, who was progressing at a rapid rate over the last few weeks of the season. He’s a tough player, with soft hands and a knack for rebounding. He’s also become a solid defender, including on ball-screens. Late in the season, he was showing a level of comfort driving the ball and catching and scoring in the post. He’ll never be the scorer Ward is, but he’s a more complete big man. He’ll platoon with Ward and give MSU a heckuva 1-2 punch at center. 

Kenny Goins, Sr., PF: MSU really needs Kenny Goins next season. He could wind up starting. MSU’s other best options at power forward will both be true freshmen in Marcus Bingham and Thomas Kithier. Goins played well in the second half of the season. He looked healthy and quick and played with more confidence. Offensive confidence is his bugaboo. He’s a capable shooter in that he has the stroke. If he could become a semi-reliable shooter, it would change MSU’s season. He’s a good program guy, a great guy to have with young players trying to learn the position.

Kyle Ahrens, Jr., G/F: The Spartans could have used Kyle Ahrens against Syracuse. He showed late in 2017 that he could hit shots and he has some size (6-5) and athleticism to him. The question is, can he stay healthy? He hasn’t to this point. He redshirted this season after suffering a foot injury. He’ll give Izzo some experienced versatility. You might see Ahrens even play power forward against certain matchups to help MSU spread the court. By redshirting, he extended his career at MSU and gave himself a shot at being a relevant piece of the puzzle the next couple years.

Foster Loyer, Fr., PG: Loyer is the sort of diminutive guard Izzo used to pass up. It’s partly why Izzo was slow to the punch on Tyler Ulis (as was almost everyone). Loyer is only 5-10 and maybe 160 pounds, but he’s a dazzling offensive player. And his game and mindset complement Cassius Winston’s, so that when Winston is on the bench, MSU doesn’t have to figure out a new way to operate. You might see Loyer and Winston play some together, with Winston at shooting guard, against matchups that allow for it. 

Aaron Henry, Fr. G/F: Henry, a 6-5, 200-pound wing from Indianapolis, should contribute as a freshman. He’s known as a versatile, smart and competitive son of a gun, an Izzo type of player. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t carve out a niche for himself off the bench.

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Gabe Brown, Fr. G/F: Brown is a 6-8 lefty who Izzo has compared to Morris Peterson. Peterson, you might recall, redshirted and developed into a star. Brown’s length, athleticism and shooting ability make him an intriguing prospect early. He’s a different player than Aaron Henry, a better shooter, perhaps the heir apparent to Joshua Langford at shooting guard. 

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Thomas Kithier, Fr. PF: Kithier is the most likely of the five freshmen to have a limited role. That said, his ability to stretch a defense and pass from the 4-spot could have value, if he’s ready to defend the position. Because Kithier missed his high school season (via MHSAA ruling), he’ll be itching to see the court. He could also be used in a backup role at center, if there’s an injury or foul trouble.

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Walk-ons

Braden Burke, So., C: A transfer from low-major Robert Morris in Pittsburgh, Burke provides insurance at center. Whether he can play at the Big Ten level remains to be seen, but he’s got good size and decent skill. 

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Connor George, So., G: George, from Okemos, found himself in the rotation briefly during the PK80 Invitational when Miles Bridges missed a game. He’s a veteran who can play in a pinch and is hoping to earn a regular role before he’s done.

Jack Hoiberg, R-Fr., G: Jack Hoiberg, the son of Chicago Bulls coach Fred Holberg, redshirted last season. He’ll have four years of eligibility beginning next season.

Brock Washington, R-Fr. G: Washington, who starred at Southfield Christian, redshirted last season. Like Holberg, he has four years of eligibility remaining.

Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Graham_Couch.