Who would have thought before the season that a team led by four new starters, three true freshmen, and a coach who had been criticized heavily during the offseason after losing in the Round of 32 despite beginning last season ranked in the top five would be the Big Ten champion? Well, your 2024-25 Michigan State basketball team is just that.
The Spartans are hanging another banner despite losing four starters from last year's team (two to transfers) and after the Big Ten brought in four new teams -- two of which have been contenders.
On Wednesday night, Michigan fell at home to a really good Maryland squad, which meant Michigan State would at least earn a share of the conference title and that would only be the case if the Spartans lost their last two games at Iowa and at home against the Wolverines.
That's not a likely scenario.
With Michigan's 71-65 loss to the Terrapins, the Spartans have locked up the Big Ten and can win it outright on Thursday night against Iowa. If Michigan State wins out, it'll take the conference by a whopping two games which is impressive given the depth it has with teams like Michigan, Maryland, Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin, and UCLA all vying for the conference crown this year.
Don't expect Tom Izzo to rest easy knowing that he'll be hanging another banner this season as the 2025 Big Ten champions. He's not going to treat the Iowa or Michigan games any differently because there's still a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament on the line, especially with Alabama slipping up on Wednesday, too.
The goals are all still in front of Michigan State, but the Spartans are champions. That much we know.