The depth at Michigan State is out of control. Seriously, finding court time for each player on the Spartans' crowded bench might be the greatest problem any team could have in college basketball this season. The only thing left to find out is what Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo will do with the bank-vault wealth of talent to start the 2017-18 campaign.

As if having preseason Big Ten Player of the Year Miles Bridges go against the norm and return for his sophomore season wasn’t already enough, No. 2-ranked Michigan State returns six more players from last year’s rotation and added immediate frontcourt depth with talented freshmen and a high-major graduate transfer.

There is no team in the Big Ten Conference which boasts as much depth as MSU, and since Izzo would not reveal his starting five heading into Thursday night’s exhibition game against Ferris State at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, MI, it’s time to have some fun guessing.

Will this be the starting lineup? Find out with the BTN Plus coverage on FloHoops at 7 PM ET.

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G: Lourawls ‘Tum Tum’ Nairn Jr. (5-10, Senior)

2016-17 Statistics: 3.5 ppg., 3.6 apg., 22.8 mpg.

Let's just get this out of the way before diving in: Being a starter does not really mean too much, except to fans, but it's enjoyable to speculate what lineup might actually work best. Nobody was probably thinking 35-year-old Jason Kidd was better than 23-year-old Chris Paul on the 2008 Redeem Team, but it was the smart move to start the steady veteran and let the talented young guard provide a spark off the bench. Take the team comparison down a few million notches, but the same situation applies here. Nairn is the veteran leader and sophomore Cassius Winston is the talented young floor general. Even if Winston will likely play and be relied on to produce more this season, the move here is start the senior and get the season off on the right foot.

G: Joshua Langford (6-5, Sophomore)

2016-17 Statistics: 6.9 ppg., 2.3 rpg., 21.0 mpg.

If there is any returner ready to burst onto the scene this season, it has to be Langford. At 6-foot-5, the shooting guard shot the ball really pretty well as a freshman — nearly 50 percent from the floor, including almost 42 percent from 3-point range — but didn't necessarily put up the numbers many originally expected. That can certainly change if he remains aggressive in his minutes on the floor.

F: Miles Bridges (6-7, Sophomore)

2016-17 Statistics: 16.9 ppg., 8.3 rpg., 32.0 mpg.

The rest of the starting lineup might be up in the air, but it's safe to assume Bridges will be in it. The biggest change, however, is that Bridges will likely slide up more to the wing and not play as much at the four this season. If this is the look, Bridges is going to be a nightmare matchup all season.

F: Nick Ward (6-8, Sophomore)

2016-17 Statistics: 13.9 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 19.8 mpg.

It's hard to believe the power left-handed forward is just a sophomore because he played like an absolute man during his initial campaign. Ward's toughness in the interior will be a factor once again and he can easily help set the tone early in games. Adding big men Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman, and Ben Carter will help take some pressure off, too.

F: Jaren Jackson Jr. (6-11, Freshman)

2016-17 Statistics (High School): He dunked a lot. 

One of the best freshmen to ever enter the program, Jackson brings so much talent, length, and versatility that it will be so hard to take off the floor. His ability to stretch the defense and defend his position will be an incredible asset all season long, no matter the various lineups that can be used.

BENCH

How good is the depth? There is plenty of talent here to create a nice lineup even without the players listed above. Cassius Winston will be the Spartans' lead guard. Matt McQuaid can shoot the cover off the ball. Kyle Ahrens and Kenny Goins are tough, experienced forwards. Big man Ben Carter brings experience. Gavin Schilling is healthy, and Xavier Tillman is so strong. Goodness, this team is loaded.

Don't miss No. 2 Michigan State in action with BTN Plus on FloHoops:

October 26: Michigan State vs. Ferris State (Exhibition, 7 PM)

November 3: Michigan State vs. Hillsdale (Exhibition)

December 21: Michigan State vs. Long Beach State