Michigan State is doing exactly what top-tier programs are supposed to do: win - and win big. The Spartans are off to a perfect 7-0 start, and they’re not just padding the schedule with easy wins.
They’ve already knocked off three ranked opponents, including a statement 16-point victory over then-No. 16 North Carolina during Thanksgiving week.
That kind of résumé doesn’t go unnoticed.
On Monday, Michigan State climbed four spots in the latest AP Poll, landing at No. 7 - their first appearance in the top 10 this season. It’s a well-earned leap, and it places Tom Izzo’s squad firmly in the national conversation.
The NCAA’s first NET rankings of the season dropped the same day, and the Spartans cracked the top 10 there as well, sitting at No. 10.
That’s not just optics - it’s a strong early-season profile that could pay dividends when March seeding discussions begin.
But there’s no time to soak it all in. The schedule isn’t easing up.
Michigan State opens Big Ten play Tuesday night against an Iowa team that’s knocking on the door of the top 25. The Hawkeyes are 7-0 themselves and bring a new energy under first-year head coach Ben McCollum.
If the name sounds familiar, it should. McCollum built a powerhouse at the Division II level with four national titles at Northwest Missouri State before jumping to Drake, where he led the Bulldogs to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his lone season.
Now at Iowa, McCollum has brought along a key piece of his success - guard Bennett Stirtz. The former Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year has followed McCollum every step of the way, and he’s proving he belongs at the high-major level.
Stirtz is averaging 18.6 points per game and shooting a blistering 45.7% from beyond the arc. He’s the engine of this Iowa team, and the Spartans will need to keep him in check if they want to start Big Ten play on the right foot.
Tuesday’s conference opener is just the beginning of a tough week for Michigan State. Saturday brings a marquee matchup: No.
4 Duke comes to East Lansing. It’s the kind of game that gets circled the moment the schedule drops - a blue-blood showdown with major implications.
And while every game counts, let’s be honest: when Duke rolls into town, it just feels bigger.
The Blue Devils are 8-0 and look every bit the title contender. They’ve got a heavyweight matchup of their own on Tuesday against reigning national champion Florida, but all eyes will turn to the Breslin Center by the weekend.
Duke’s freshman phenom Cameron Boozer is already turning heads. The former five-star recruit is putting up video game numbers: 22.9 points, 9.8 boards, nearly four assists, and contributing on the defensive end with 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
He’s the real deal - and he’ll be the toughest individual test Michigan State has faced so far.
This week offers a chance for the Spartans to solidify their top-10 status and show they belong in the national title conversation. Two games, both at home, against undefeated teams - one a conference rival, the other a college basketball titan. If Michigan State can keep the momentum rolling, the rest of the country won’t just be watching - they’ll be chasing.