Certainly the team will be less talented, but if Sidney comes back, and decides he wants to prove people wrong, he could be SEC player of the year type player. Its not likely, and I think he leaves early because he is convinced he is better than he actually is, but with him, and Hood and Smith that is a strong trio. Steele has shown flashes and Lewis is a good bench guy.
Its a bubble team, which is what Ole Miss and MSU both seem to be stuck in the last few years.
Of course, I expect MSU to be playing in the SEC tournament final this year.