Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo has made it his mission to win a second national title.
While he told members of the local media after his first fall practice on Monday that a second national title wouldn't force him into retirement like everyone thinks, he still has to get to the big stage again for that to even be a talking point. He got close in 2024-25, winning the Big Ten by three games and making it to the Elite Eight, but there's work to do.
Izzo brings in a solid recruiting class with two freshmen and three high-impact transfers, but one of those newcomers is out for the season as Kaleb Glenn had surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon.
Still, the Spartans have four newcomers who should help in their pursuit of a second national title, but Izzo may have to wait until he secures his 2026 class to really talk about championships. This year's team has enough talent to make a run, but if all goes as planned, the 2026 class combined with the returning players should give Michigan State a massive boost.
The Spartans will be losing Trey Fort, Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper, Nick Sanders, and Denham Wojcik after this season, but I believe Izzo will target a 3-4 man 2026 class.
Who would make up that ideal group, assuming it's four guys?
Carlos Medlock Jr., 4-star PG (current commit)
Rank: No. 67 nationally, No. 7 PG
The clear and obvious start to this would be four-star point guard Carlos Medlock Jr. who is the Spartans' lone commit in the 2026 class. He has been one of the biggest risers in the recruiting ranks, and he has a chance to be the next great point guard after Jeremy Fears Jr.
Jasiah Jervis, 4-star SG
Rank: No. 34 nationally, No. 2 SG
Jasiah Jervis was just on campus with Medlock for Michigan State's annual Grind Week, and it feels like the visit went well considering the top-40 shooting guard is already canceling visits. Oregon and Texas have been cut from his list, and his interest level in Michigan State is listed as "warmer" on 247Sports. Jervis is one of the hottest names on the recruiting trail right now, and he would pair perfectly with Medlock to give the Spartans an elite backcourt.
Maximo Adams, 4-star SF
Rank: No. 25 nationally, No. 11 SF
After addressing the backcourt with Jervis and Medlock, the best option at the small forward spot is a guy with the frame to play some power forward in a pinch, too. Maximo Adams is the nation's No. 25 prospect, and he was just in East Lansing for his official visit. He's 6-foot-7 and 205 pounds, and has one of the most polished games of any recruit in the class. He would be the perfect wing option to join Medlock and Jervis.
Ethan Taylor, 5-star C
Rank: No. 23 nationally, No. 2 C
Ethan Taylor happens to be teammates with Medlock at Link Academy in Branson, Mo., which means that the Spartan commit could help lure the big man to East Lansing. Taylor is the No. 23 prospect in the nation as well as the second-best center, and he stands 7-foot-0. Michigan State fans are salivating at the idea of Taylor joining the fold as a 7-footer with athleticism. Just imagine a starting lineup with Taylor, Adams, and Cam Ward in the post. That's every opponent's worst nightmre.
In my opinion, if he lands these four guys, Izzo will have the perfect group to pursue No. 2.