NCAA basketball tournament: Michigan State vs. Connecticut

Michigan State breaks out of a huddle before their Elite 8 game against Connecticut during the 2014 NCAA Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, March 30, 2014. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

A look at some of the biggest questions facing the Michigan State basketball program this offseason:

Question: The Spartans lose four scholarship players, including three starters, this offseason -- and could lose another if forward Alex Gauna opts not to return next year. Filling those roster spots next season will be a three-player recruiting class in Lourawls Nairn, Javon Bess and Marvin Clark. The Spartans will also add a preferred walk-on in Kenny Goins of Warren Mott.

Which of those four players will have the best chance of playing a key role for the Spartans in 2014-15?

Outlook: It's no secret that this year's class isn't the most highly touted in recent memory. Nairn, a four-star guard, came in at No. 62 on the final Rivals recruiting rankings, while Javon Bess was rated No. 119 and Marvin Clark snuck into the top 150 at 146. None would appear to be a shoo-in for a key role next year.

But once they get on campus later this month, they’ll have the summer workout sessions and fall preseason practices to prove those recruiting ratings wrong and begin to play their way into the rotation.

Nairn said last month he’s looking forward to competing with Trice at point guard during the offseason. Speed -- the former sprinter has been called the fastest player in the class of 2014 -- and leadership abilities could help him do that. And with the starter’s role there vacated by the graduation of Keith Appling, minutes could be available for a true point guard.

In April, ESPN recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi was asked to name the player outside the top 100 who would have the biggest impact as a freshman. His answer was Bess, citing his versatility, length (he's 6-foot-5) and ability to attack the rim as reasons he could find the floor next year. Bess, a wing, ended his spring on a high note, winning MVP honors at a pair of postseason All-Star games.

Clark, who committed to Michigan State in March, has only had serious basketball coaching since his sophomore year, and has said that Spartans coach Tom Izzo considers him a "big baby", basketball-wise. That could be a hint he'll need more development before he's ready for a key role.

But Clark also spent last season playing against junior college competition, and has been called physically ready to play in the Big Ten at 6-foot-7, 225 pounds.

Goins may be a non-scholarship player, but turned down offers from Oakland, Central Michigan and Detroit to come to MSU.

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