After watching two consecutive back-breaking football losses, Spartan fans are begging for the return of Michigan State basketball.
Fortunately, it’s just weeks away.
The Spartans just held Midnight Madness and the Izzone Campout over the weekend, and Big Ten Media Days is this week. We’ll see Tom Izzo, Coen Carr, and Jeremy Fears representing the program in Rosemont, Ill.
The return of hoops also signals the return of preseason rankings lists. It helps pass the time from now until the official start of the season, and Andy Katz is known for them.
Katz recently posted his college basketball venue rankings, and the Breslin Center was his seventh-best arena in the country. Now, he’s ranking the top rivalries in college basketball, and you just know the Spartans have some hated foes.
Michigan State’s top rivalry was listed at No. 4 on Katz’s list.
Renewing rivalries ♨️@TheAndyKatz ranks the top rivalries for the 2025-26 season ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/uYkGUmuKE2
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) October 7, 2025
It’s really tough to argue any of the rivalries ranked ahead of Michigan State vs. Michigan, especially since most of them involve blue bloods. Duke vs. North Carolina is an obvious No. 1, Kentucky vs. Louisville is a solid No. 2, and Indiana vs. Purdue is a good No. 3. The Michigan vs, Michigan State rivalry has gotten better over the past two decades, but since Tom Izzo has been in charge, he’s held the upper hand by a significant margin (36-16).
The rivalry is heating back up again after a few off years and some recent Spartan dominance. The Spartans have won six of the past seven matchups against the Wolverines, including a two-game sweep over Dusty May in 2024-25.
I’m going to just assume this year’s rivalry game will be much more competitive.