Throughout June and heading into the all-important July recruiting period, Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello will take a look at the summer checklists for the top 50 programs in college basketball, as revealed in Goodman's preseason ballot published in late May. Goodman and Borzello will show you each roster the way the coaches are looking at it, projecting graduation/NBA casualties and areas of need ahead of 2016-17. Below is the summer guide for the Michigan State Spartans.
An index and schedule for the Summer Recruiting Bible series is located HERE.
Scholarship chart
Seniors (3): SG Bryn Forbes, SF Denzel Valentine, PF Matt Costello
Juniors (3): SG Eron Harris, SF Alvin Ellis III, PF Gavin Schilling
Sophomores (3): PG Lourawls Nairn Jr., SG Javon Bess, SF Marvin Clark Jr.
Freshmen (3): SG Matt McQuaid, SF Kyle Ahrens, PF Deyonta Davis
Possible early entry losses after next season: SG Eron Harris
Available scholarships for 2016: Three (possibly four)
Committed prospects for 2016 and beyond: PF Nick Ward (No. 42 in ESPN 100, All Ohio Red, 2016)
Biggest needs for 2016-17: Point guard, post player, scoring wing
Must-haves: PG Cassius Winston (No. 28 in ESPN 100, The Family), SF Miles Bridges (No. 7, The Family), SG Josh Langford (No. 13, Atlanta Celtics)
Targets: Winston (No. 28, The Family), Bridges (No. 7, The Family), Langford (No. 13, Atlanta Celtics), SF Josh Jackson (No. 3, D1 Nation), PG Xavier Simpson (No. 87, King James), G Jamal Murray (CIA Bounce), C Joey Brunk (No. 63, Indy Hoosiers), SF Willie Jackson (King James)
Summer Scenario
Even with the late loss of Caleb Swanigan to Purdue, Michigan State had a very solid 2015 class that will set the Spartans up well moving forward. There is good balance on the roster, although the wild card is Harris, a West Virginia transfer who will be eligible in 2015-16 after sitting out. The expectations are high enough that he's already an early-entry candidate. The Spartans don't like to cast an enormously wide net when it comes to recruiting, and they've already identified their main targets. With Ward in the fold, the Spartans' focus at the top of the 2016 class is the perimeter. Winston and Bridges play on the same AAU team, and Michigan State is hoping for the double in-state swoop.