As the college basketball calendar turns, March reveals what teams are truly made of, April wraps up the season's storylines, and May shifts our focus to the future. For Michigan State basketball, the 2026-27 season is brimming with promise—but not without its share of pressing questions.

After back-to-back respectable NCAA Tournament runs, the Spartans are poised to see stars Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr hit their prime. Yet, as the roster evolves, so do the challenges. Here are five burning questions facing the team as they gear up for another big campaign.

1. Who will step up at shooting guard?

This is the most intriguing question heading into next season—and it was a major one last year too. When Tre Holloman transferred and Jase Richardson declared for the pros, the shooting guard spot quickly went from a strength to a glaring weakness. Last season, transfer Divine Ugochukwu (now back in the portal) filled in as a backup to Fears until an injury sidelined him. That opened the door for Jordan Scott, a player many expected to redshirt, to emerge as the most reliable option. Kur Teng also logged heavy minutes as one of the Spartans' top shooters, though his defense remained a work in progress.

This year, the Spartans welcome Jasiah Jervis, a monster recruit at the position. But Scott performed admirably last season and has earned the right to compete for the starting role. Meanwhile, Teng is the team's best shooter and brings veteran experience to the table. Early rotation projections have Scott as the opening-day starter, but others see Jervis taking the reins. It's a battle worth watching.

2. Can the frontcourt maintain its physical edge?

Michigan State has long prided itself on toughness in the paint, but with key departures, the frontcourt will need to reload. Look for returning players to step up and new faces to bring energy, but consistency will be key to competing in the rugged Big Ten.

3. How will the backcourt mesh with new additions?

With Fears running the point, the Spartans have a steady floor general. But integrating Jervis and other newcomers into the backcourt rotation will test chemistry early in the season. If they click, this could be one of the most dynamic units in the conference.

4. Will three-point shooting improve?

Outside shooting has been a recurring concern for MSU. While Teng provides a reliable deep threat, the team as a whole needs to become more consistent from beyond the arc to open up driving lanes and keep defenses honest.

5. Is this the year for a deep March run?

With two solid tournament appearances under their belt, the Spartans are knocking on the door of something bigger. If the pieces fall into place—from the starting lineup to bench depth—2026-27 could be the season Michigan State makes a serious push for the Final Four.

As the summer workouts begin and the roster takes shape, one thing is certain: Spartan fans have plenty of reasons to be excited—and a few questions that will keep the conversation going all season long.