If you follow Michigan State basketball religiously like myself, you’d probably already know how hectic of a month of November it’s been for the Spartans.
Tom Izzo got to prepare for the season with a couple of exhibition games that had fans slightly concerned, but then the year has begun with six straight victories, two of which have come against ranked opponents (top-15 opponents, to be exact). In the midst of this red-hot start and multiple ranked matchups, Izzo was able to land a couple of elite recruits.
Jasiah Jervis committed to the Spartans shortly after the season began, and then Ethan Taylor followed suit, giving Michigan State the No. 1 recruiting class in the country for 2026.
With the two final commitments, Michigan State’s class is up to four, and all of them are ranked in the top 80 nationally. Carlos Medlock Jr. kicked things off with a commitment over the summer, followed by Julius Avent, then Jervis, and finally Taylor. This class is arguably the best Izzo has had since the 2016 group with Miles Bridges, Cassius Winston, Nick Ward, and Josh Langford.
It also sets up a scary starting five next season.
If Michigan State doesn’t lose anyone surprising to the transfer portal this offseason, the Spartans could have potentially their best starting five since the 2017-18 season.
Here’s what it could look like (hint: it’s terrifying):
PG: Jeremy Fears Jr.
SG: Jasiah Jervis
SF: Coen Carr
PF: Cam Ward
C: Ethan Taylor
What makes this starting five even scarier is that the next five could be a starting lineup on its own:
PG: Divine Ugochukwu/Carlos Medlock Jr.
SG: Kur Teng
SF: Kaleb Glenn/Jordan Scott
PF: Julius Avent
C: Jesse McCulloch
Unfortunately, with this many guys and limited minutes to go around, it feels like there will be a transfer or two at the bottom of the rotation.
Still, Michigan State might have the best starting five and 10-12-man rotation in the Big Ten and one of the best rosters in college basketball.
Who said Izzo lost his fastball? The Hall of Famer has gotten his second wind.