Michigan State basketball: Pros and cons of ESPN's 2023-24 expectations

Michigan State basketball: Pros and cons of ESPN’s 2023-24 preseason expectations

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 23: Jaxon Kohler #0 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts with his teammates on the bench against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half in the Sweet 16 round game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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Jan 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks to the official in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: Talent, experience on paper don’t always translate on the court

The shining example is last season’s UNC team. Preseason No. 1, all the talent and championship game experience you could hope for, and what did that get them? A seventh-place finish in the ACC and missing the NCAA tournament entirely.

Need an example a little closer to home? The 2011-12 Michigan State Spartans were led by seniors Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers. The supporting cast on that team? Juniors Draymond Green, Korie Lucious, and Delvon Roe. The incoming freshmen included Keith Appling and Adreian Payne (RIP). Looks like the perfect mix of veteran leadership and young talent that was one of the most disaster-ridden seasons in recent MSU history, failing to win 20 games for the first time in eight years.

Preseason rankings are fun and provide hope, but they’re not an exact science and were not handing out Big Ten trophies or Final Four banners three days after the title game.

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