Michigan State Ranked Among Early Favorites for 2025-26 NCAA Championship

Michigan State basketball is receiving significant attention in early rankings for the 2025-26 season, with CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein placing the Spartans at No. 9, while other outlets like Sporting News and ESPN rank them at No. 5 and No. 18 respectively. The Spartans are expected to maintain a strong core, including key players like Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr, despite potential departures such as Jase Richardson. In contrast, analysts like Jeff Borzello suggest the team may face challenges after a record-breaking season. Meanwhile, Michigan is also garnering positive early rankings, bolstered by strong transfer commitments and a promising recruiting class, while Big Ten rivals Purdue and Michigan are also highlighted in these rankings. It remains to be seen how these teams will navigate the offseason, especially with the growing impact of the transfer portal and NBA Draft decisions. Overall, the Big Ten appears to be a competitive landscape for the upcoming season.