Michigan State is putting together something special this season. At 18-2, the Spartans are rolling-and doing it after losing key contributors like Jase Richardson, Tre Holloman, and Jaden Akins from last year’s Elite Eight squad that also brought home a Big Ten title. For head coach Tom Izzo, it’s just another chapter in a career defined by consistency, toughness, and the ability to reload rather than rebuild.
This team isn’t just winning-they’re doing it with a style and swagger that’s caught the attention of fans across the country. It might’ve taken a few weeks for the national buzz to catch up, but make no mistake: the Spartans are now firmly in the spotlight. And if they can take care of business against Michigan on Friday, they’ll be staring down a 20-2 start-something that would mark the best opening to a season in program history.
So what’s driving all this momentum? It starts with the defense.
Michigan State is locking teams down, and they’re doing it with a mix of veteran savvy and young energy. Jeremy Fears and Coen Carr have brought a jolt of athleticism and grit, while big men Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper have developed into a frontcourt tandem that’s quietly become one of the most reliable in the Big Ten.
They’re not flashy, but they get the job done-and that’s exactly what Izzo teams are built on.
And fans are tuning in. According to Nielsen, Michigan State is the most-watched team in men’s college basketball this season.
That’s not a fluke. The Spartans have faced five of the top eight most-watched programs, which means they’re not just drawing numbers-they’re consistently part of the biggest games on the calendar.
Whether it’s a prime-time conference clash or a marquee non-conference matchup, Michigan State is in the thick of it.
That kind of exposure matters-especially on the recruiting trail. If you’re a top-tier high school player looking to play on the biggest stage, the numbers speak for themselves.
Michigan State isn’t just winning-they’re winning with the eyes of the college basketball world watching. The spotlight is bright in East Lansing right now, and Izzo’s crew is thriving in it.
Only three other Big Ten programs cracked the top 10 in viewership, and none of them are currently near the top of the conference standings. That reinforces what’s becoming increasingly clear: Michigan State is the Big Ten’s flagship basketball brand at the moment. The wins, the visibility, the tradition-it’s all coming together.
And if this early run is any indication, the Spartans aren’t just chasing another Big Ten banner. They’re building something that could go much deeper into March.