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Michigan State Basketball ranked No. 5 in Sporting News’ 2017-18 poll

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) and guard Cassius Winston (5) react after the game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Kansas defeated Michigan State 90-70. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) and guard Cassius Winston (5) react after the game against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Kansas defeated Michigan State 90-70. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball was slotted at No. 5 in the Sporting News’ 2017-18 way-too-early rankings.

Let the speculation begin. The 2016-17 college basketball season is coming to an end and there are some people who have already flashed forward to next season. That includes Michigan State basketball players, coaches and fans, but some publications are releasing way-too-early rankings already.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: Top 7 remaining 2018 basketball targets

In fact, the Sporting News released its version of the way-too-early 2017-18 rankings on Sunday and the Spartans got some major respect.

Michigan State is ranked No. 5 in the 2017-18 poll, behind Arizona (1), Duke (2), Kentucky (3) and Kansas (4). The Spartans are the highest-ranked Big Ten team. Actually, they’re one of just two Big Ten teams in the projected rankings as Northwestern is No. 25.

Here’s what they said about the Spartans being No. 5:

"Bridges hasn’t announced his decision yet, but Spartans fans aren’t holding their breath (he’s expected to be a lottery pick). Still, expect next season to be the reward for all the bumps and bruises Tom Izzo’s team experienced during this learning season. The Spartans will have size, they’ll have shooting and they’ll have ball-handling. And incoming big men Jaren Jackson (6-11) and Xavier Tillman (6-9) will be ready to make an immediate impact."

This is some major respect from a big-time publication. They realize that the Spartans were extremely young in 2016-17 and bring back basically everyone as well as two top recruits and potentially more. Heck, if Bridges comes back, it could be an even higher ranking.

Related Story: 5 reasons Miles Bridges will return for sophomore year

What are your projections for the 2017-18 season?

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