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Michigan State Basketball No. 1 in NBC Sports’ way-too-early Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 10, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks with forward Nick Ward (44) on the bench during the second half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Spartans win 71-63. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks with forward Nick Ward (44) on the bench during the second half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Spartans win 71-63. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball was ranked No. 1 in NBC Sports’ way-too-early Top 25 poll over the weekend.

How good will Michigan State basketball be next season? If it was up to NBC Sports, the Spartans would be ranked No. 1 in the country.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: All-time Tom Izzo era starting five, bench

According to NBC Sports‘ Rob Dauster, the Spartans have earned his top spot in the way-too-early rankings.

"I like this Michigan State team a lot. Nick Ward was a beast last year and Jaren Jackson is the perfect sidekick. Cassius Winston and Josh Langford will both take a step forward. The key, however, is that a potential Player of the Year in Miles Bridges opted to return to school."

Apparently he likes the Spartans more than he does Kentucky who just added its sixth five-star in the 2017 class last week. The Wildcats have been killing the recruiting trail, but what he Spartans bring back is far more impressive than what Kentucky is bringing in.

Michigan State return the most talent of any team in the Big Ten while also bringing in kids like Jaren Jackson Jr. (a five-star McDonald’s All-American) and four-star power forward Xavier Tillman.

Coming back for a fifth year is Gavin Schilling and Ben Carter may also be returning for a sixth year. Neither played last season due to knee injuries and both could provide major depth down low.

Related Story: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for May

Tom Izzo probably doesn’t like preseason polls, but this just goes to show how much respect his team is getting.

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