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No. 13: MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
Last season: 29-6, 13-5 Big Ten
Denzel Valentine is gone. So are Bryn Forbes, Matt Costello and even Deyonta Davis. But Tom Izzo will reload, and do it with the help of a talented freshman class that features combo forward Miles Bridges. However, there are questions: Will fellow frosh Cassius Winston be able to step in immediately and run the team? Does Tom Izzo have enough up front after a couple of injuries to Ben Carter and Gavin Schilling? Will Eron Harris be reliable as a go-to guy? My money is on Izzo figuring it all out. -- Jeff Goodman
Best case: Elite Eight. Michigan State was a Final Four team last season, but ran into a super-hot team in Middle Tennessee. That game resulted in Tom Izzo suffering through the unimaginable: a first-round loss with a team capable of winning it all. It happens, but it doesn't happen to Izzo. Michigan State returns some quality talent and has an excellent recruiting class coming in, but replacing the leadership of Denzel Valentine and the shooting of Bryn Forbes will not be easy. Eron Harris, the transfer from West Virginia, will need to have his best season. Harris was terrific last season, and defended at a high level.
Worst case: Early exit. If it happened last season, it can happen again. With injuries, which always seem to hit Michigan State with more than its share, heady plans can be dashed. Already, Michigan State is battling injuries with Gavin Schilling out early for the second straight season.
