Michigan State’s early-season buzz got a surprising boost from an unlikely place this week: Jalen Rose.
The Michigan basketball legend went on TNT after the first day of games and made his Final Four picks, and he included Michigan State among his four national semifinal teams. That drew plenty of attention, especially with Paul Bunyan Day in the air and the rivalry backdrop baked into the moment.
“University of Michigan legend @JalenRose has Michigan State in his Final Four 👀 pic.twitter.com/6353JFZKfA
- TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) November 3, 2026”
Rose explained his choice plainly: ”I can’t allow the fact that I’m a Wolverine get in the way of greatness,” Rose said.
He pointed to Michigan State’s strength at the top of the roster, mentioning Jeremy Fears as one of the nation’s best players. He also nodded to Tom Izzo’s track record and the idea that the Spartans often seem to slide into the Sweet 16. Add in the fact that the Final Four is in Detroit, and Rose saw plenty working in Michigan State’s favor.
Rose’s full Final Four included Illinois, Florida and Duke as well, which would leave the Big Ten with two teams, the ACC with one and the SEC with one. The setup would echo the 2000 Final Four, when Michigan State, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Florida made up the field.
For Michigan State, the bigger takeaway is that the Spartans are starting to draw real national respect. That matters even more coming from Rose, who didn’t even put Michigan on his bracket despite the Wolverines being the reigning national champs.
And that brings the spotlight back to Izzo, who is carrying the kind of pressure that would overwhelm most coaches. With Detroit hosting the Final Four and his career moving deeper into its later stages, the expectations are heavy. But Michigan State has the kind of roster that can absorb some of that weight.
The Spartans are deep, talented and, as the source of this praise suggests, looking a lot different than they did in the preseason when they struggled against UConn and Marquette. For now, the national conversation is finally catching up to them.
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In the early going, Michigan State has already been forced to adjust its rotation, with injuries to Jesse McCulloch and Cam Ward opening the door for a new starting five. Jeremy Fears Jr., Jasiah Jervis, Jordan Scott, Coen Carr and Anton Bonke have been the group getting the first crack, and the early returns have been encouraging enough to make this more than a temporary patch.
What stands out is how the lineup has reshuffled roles as much as names. Carr has slid to power forward, Jervis has earned a starting spot, and the overall efficiency has given the staff something real to study as the schedule moves on. The Spartans are expected to keep evaluating the group in the coming games, and if the fit keeps holding, Izzo may have to rethink the rotation sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
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Michigan, though, has managed to add a little spark to the week in its own way. A comment from coach Kyle Whittingham downplaying the rivalrys significance has given the game a fresh talking point and a little extra fuel for a matchup that was already carrying plenty of baggage. Even in a season where both sides have had their issues, this is still Michigan State-Michigan, and any slight or shrug tends to travel fast once the rivalry gets close. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Enters Rivalry Game With One Huge Problem On Offense
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That leaves Michigan State in a difficult spot against a Michigan team that is favored largely because of its defense and better overall health. The game should still have the edge and tension that comes with this rivalry, but the Spartans need a cleaner offensive performance than they have been able to produce recently if they want to avoid letting Michigan's defense dictate the night. [Read more 🡒]