to a knee injury the previous year. Carter's transfer left one open scholarship for the Spartans. The remaining scholarship was given to senior and former walk-on Matt Van Dyk. Departures Recruiting class The 2016 recruiting class was called the best ever for Tom Izzo. Two five-star recruits, Miles Bridges (top 10 overall) and Joshua Langford (top 20 overall), and two four-star recruits, Cassius Winston (top 30 overall) and Nick Ward (top 50 overall) made up the incoming class. The class had been ranked in the top four nationally since all four signed their letters of intent. Preseason On October 3, 2016, it was announced that Ben Carter suffered a knee injury and would miss a significant amount of time. On October 12, 2016, the school announced the Breslin Center's new court design. On October 14, 2016, Michigan State held its Midnight Madness celebration. Izzo wore his Hall of Fame jacket to begin the event, but changed into a coaching jacket and said he would be wearing this jacket for eight to 10 more years and that the Hall of Fame jacket will only be worn in "retirement or death". On October 19, 2016, Michigan State announced the Gavin Schilling had suffered a non-contact knee injury prior the Midnight Madness event. The injury would require surgery and there was no timetable for Schilling's return. MSU was ranked No. 9 in the preseason Coaches' Poll and No. 12 in the preseason AP Poll. Preseason award watch lists On October 18, 2016, Eron Harris was named to the watch list for the Jerry West Award, given annually to the top shooting guard in the nation. Two days later, Miles Bridges was named to the watch list for the Karl Malone Award, given to the top power forward in the nation. On November 10, Bridges was also named to the 50-member watch list for Naismith Award, given to the top player in the nation. Exhibition games In the first exhibition game on October 27, 2016, the Spartans defeated Division II Northwood, 93–69. Freshman Miles Bridges made a good first impression, totaling 33 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Freshman big man Nick Ward also performed well, scoring 19 points in 21 minutes of play. Cassius Winston, also a freshman, netted nine points and nine assists. Kenny Goins and Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. added eight points each. Freshamn Josh Langford did not play due