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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PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 24: Tyson Walker #2 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Jaden Bradley #0 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Moda Center on November 24, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Pro: Preseason rankings have some merit

Like I said, preseason rankings aren’t an exact science. However, it is a pretty good indicator of the direction of your program.

Of the 25 “way-too-early” ESPN-ranked teams going into last season, 20 made the NCAA tournament (80 percent) with four of the five that were on the list but missed the tournament being ranked 14 or worse.

While, ironically, their No. 1 team missed, 13 of the top 15 teams ranked made it. Three of the No. 1 seeds were on the list and the only one to miss it lost to FDU as a 23.5 favorite.

UConn made the list at 21 plus their aforementioned talent/experience ratio made them a good candidate to make it far in the tournament.

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