Michigan State Holds Firm at No. 9: Spartans Hit Holiday Break with Historic 11-1 Start
Michigan State is heading into the holiday break exactly where it wants to be-firmly entrenched in the top 10, riding the momentum of one of the best starts in program history.
For the third straight week, the Spartans sit at No. 9 in the AP Top 25, holding their ground after a strong December stretch. This team has already shown flashes of what it can be, and with Big Ten play looming, the real tests are just around the corner.
A Statement Start
At 11-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play, Michigan State is off to a start that ranks among the best in school history. The lone blemish?
A hard-fought home loss to Duke, where the Blue Devils escaped East Lansing with a six-point win. That result nudged MSU down a couple of spots in the rankings, but they haven’t budged since.
Since that Duke game, the Spartans have taken care of business-handling Penn State, Toledo, and Oakland with the kind of efficiency and maturity that’s expected from a Tom Izzo-led squad. No letdowns, no drama-just wins.
Big Ten Making Noise
The Spartans aren’t the only Big Ten team making waves nationally. Michigan holds steady at No. 2, while Purdue continues its climb, moving up to No.
- That puts Michigan State as the third-highest ranked Big Ten team, highlighting the depth and firepower this conference brings to the national stage.
The Big Ten has been known for its physicality and competitiveness, and with three teams in the top 10, it’s clear the league is once again positioned to be a major player come March.
AP Top 10 Snapshot
Here’s how the top of the rankings shake out this week:
- Arizona
- Michigan
- Iowa State
- UConn
- Purdue
- Duke
- Gonzaga
- Houston
- Michigan State
- BYU
Arizona continues to hold down the top spot, while Michigan remains right behind. With Duke’s recent stumble, Iowa State, UConn, and Purdue each moved up a rung. Meanwhile, Michigan State, along with Gonzaga, Houston, and BYU, held their ground.
Looking Ahead: Conference Play Brings the Chaos
If the early part of the season is about building rhythm and stacking wins, January is where things get real. Conference play is a different animal. Teams know each other’s tendencies, coaches have seen the film, and the margin for error shrinks dramatically.
Michigan State has one more non-conference matchup-December 29 against Cornell-before diving into the 18-game Big Ten gauntlet. That stretch will test everything: depth, resilience, and the ability to win on the road in hostile environments.
Star Power on the Floor
A big part of MSU’s early success has been the emergence of Jaxon Kohler. The big man has notched three straight double-doubles, showcasing a rare blend of size, strength, and shooting touch. He’s a matchup nightmare-able to punish defenders in the paint and stretch the floor with his range.
Then there’s Jeremy Fears Jr., who’s been the engine of this offense. Averaging 9.2 assists per game-second in the nation-Fears has been surgical in his decision-making. He’s setting the table, pushing the pace, and making everyone around him better.
Izzo’s Blueprint Is Taking Shape
This is classic Tom Izzo territory. A veteran coach with a loaded roster, a top recruiting class waiting in the wings, and a team that’s already showing it can win in different ways. The pieces are in place, and the Spartans are starting to look like a group that could make serious noise in March.
For now, they’ll enjoy a brief holiday pause-still ranked, still rolling, and still very much in the national conversation.
If you’re a Spartan fan, you’ve got every reason to be excited. This team is built to last, and the real fun is just getting started.