Spartans Surge to No. 7: Jeremy Fears Jr. Leads Michigan State’s Charge Back Into National Relevance
Michigan State is back in the top 10-and this time, it feels different.
After weeks of climbing, the Spartans have landed at No. 7 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll and No. 8 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. It’s a return to familiar territory for Tom Izzo’s squad, but this version of Michigan State is far more battle-tested than the one that briefly held this same ranking back in early December.
Back then, the Spartans were 6-0 and riding high ahead of a marquee showdown with Duke. That game didn’t go their way, and they slipped in the rankings soon after. Now, seven weeks later, they’ve clawed their way back-this time with grit, depth, and a much clearer sense of who they are.
The turning point? A daunting two-game West Coast swing that could’ve easily derailed their momentum.
Instead, Michigan State didn’t just survive-it thrived. The Spartans played connected, disciplined basketball and came out of the trip with a pair of wins that signaled they’re not just a good team-they’re a dangerous one.
And now, they’re the third-highest ranked team in a loaded Big Ten, trailing only No. 3 Michigan and No.
5 Nebraska. The conference is flexing its muscles nationally, and Michigan State is right in the thick of the title conversation.
At the center of it all is Jeremy Fears Jr., who has taken the reins of this team with the poise of a seasoned veteran. Tom Izzo has always said, “the body follows the head,” and Fears is the head, heart, and soul of this group. He’s orchestrating the offense like a maestro, controlling tempo, making the right reads, and delivering in big moments.
Fears ranks second in the nation-and the Big Ten-in assists per game at 8.8, just behind Purdue’s Braden Smith (9.2). But he’s not just distributing-he’s scoring, too.
His 17-point, 17-assist outing was the kind of performance that turns heads nationally. He’s now leading the team in scoring at 13.4 points per game, just ahead of fellow standout Jaxon Kohler.
Kohler, though, remains a force in his own right. His versatility is a matchup nightmare-stretching the floor with a 46.6% clip from three while also punishing defenders in the paint. Even as his outside shooting has cooled slightly, his ability to play inside-out continues to give Michigan State a dynamic offensive look.
And he’s doing it on the glass, too. Kohler’s 9.6 rebounds per game are good for second in the Big Ten, a testament to his motor and positioning.
But more than that, his journey is emblematic of what Izzo’s program is all about. In an era where players often leave at the first sign of adversity, Kohler stayed, developed, and now he’s thriving.
He’s not alone. Carson Cooper has emerged as another frontcourt anchor, averaging 7.2 rebounds per game-tied for ninth in the conference.
Like Kohler, Cooper’s growth has come from within the program. He’s added toughness, consistency, and a physical edge that gives Michigan State a real presence in the paint.
And then there’s Coen Carr-the human highlight reel. His dunks are electric, the kind that shake buildings and light up social media.
But lately, Carr’s been more than just a showstopper. He’s adding efficiency to his explosiveness, knocking down a career-high three triples against Oregon and going 6-for-8 from the field in a recent win over Maryland.
When Carr is locked in, the Spartans become even more dangerous.
Now, Michigan State faces a pivotal week. First, they’ll host Rutgers on Tuesday-a game they’ll be expected to control.
But the real test comes Friday night, when No. 3 Michigan comes to town in what promises to be one of the biggest games of the season.
The Spartans have momentum. They have leadership.
They have depth, size, and skill. And most importantly, they have belief.
This team isn’t just back in the top 10-they look like they belong there.