Big Ten analyst power ranks Michigan State basketball

One of the most fun things to do during the offseason is give your best shot at power ranking the Big Ten basketball teams. It’s nearly impossible to do this far in advance of the regular season, but it’s exciting to see just how close (or far off) you are once the season begins and ends.

Recently Andy Katz, an analyst for the Big Ten Network, gave his best shot at ranking the 18 Big Ten basketball teams.

Let’s see which of the four tiers he put Tom Izzo’s squad in.

Katz placed Michigan State basketball in the second of four tiers, along with UCLA, Ohio State, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Maryland. And to be honest, I think he got it right.

Don’t get me wrong, I think MSU can work their way into the top tier throughout this season, but they don’t deserve to be there yet. After a few rough seasons and losing multiple important pieces to the roster this offseason, you can’t put Michigan State any higher than the second tier.

I also think Katz did pretty well with the teams he put in the first tier. Purdue and Illinois are no-brainers for me, but I’m not 100 percent sold on Indiana. The Hoosiers have a good roster, but similarly to Michigan State, they need to prove themselves first.

What has to happen for Michigan State to move into the first tier?

Obviously Michigan State needs to win a lot of games to move up to the top tier, but how do they do that?

One thing that has to happen is Frankie Fiddler being the surefire Big Ten starter we think he is. The adjustment to high-major basketball can be difficult, but if he can navigate that transition seamlessly than that could bump Michigan State up a tier.

The Spartans also will need to see massive improvement from their centers. Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler need to become more of a threat offensively for Michigan State to be in the top tier. And who knows, maybe transfer Szymon Zapala will be able to help as well.

Lastly, the Spartans need some alphas to assert their dominance this year. I’m thinking of guys Jaden Akins and Xavier Booker who I think have a chance to be the top scorers for Michigan State this year.

If these things all happen (which I know is asking a lot) then I think Michigan State could quickly move into the top tier of Big Ten teams.