In about two weeks, Michigan State basketball will take the floor for the first time against players with a different uniform. The Spartans have been back at practice for a couple of weeks, and they just held their Midnight Madness event, signaling the return of hoops.
The reigning Big Ten champs have a lot to prove with almost an entirely new roster and four key players back as projected starters.
Gone are Tre Holloman, Jase Richardson, Jaden Akins, Frankie Fidler, Szymon Zapala, Xavier Booker, and Gehrig Normand, and returning are Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler, and Carson Cooper. The team is going to look a lot different, but Tom Izzo made sure to supplement the returning roster with some transfer portal talent.
On top of adding Trey Fort, Divine Ugochukwu, and Kaleb Glenn from the portal, Izzo brought in a recruiting class of Jordan Scott and Cam Ward. Oh, and we’ll see more from Kur Teng and Jesse McCulloch.
All-in-all, this roster has what it takes to repeat as Big Ten champs, but ESPN disagrees.
In fact, Jeff Borzello posted his preseason Top 25 projections for the 2025-26 season on Tuesday, and he completely left Michigan State off the list.
The disrespect is back, and that’s just how Izzo likes it.
The Spartans have the talent, but apparently there are five Big Ten teams better than Michigan State heading into the season which I don’t necessarily agree with.
It seems like the reigning Big Ten champs are going to play the role of underdogs again this season.