As we gear up for the 2026-27 Michigan State basketball season, the buzz around East Lansing is palpable. Tom Izzo and his Spartans have had a whirlwind offseason, and the pieces are falling into place for what could be a memorable year.
First off, the Spartans scored a major win by retaining Jeremy Fears, who flirted with the NBA draft before deciding to stay. His return, alongside fellow draft-dabbler Anton Bonke, has solidified the team's core. And let's not forget the incoming freshman class, who have been turning heads at the Moneyball Pro-Am, showcasing the kind of talent that has fans dreaming big.
True, the Spartans did miss out on some top center targets in the transfer portal, notably Moustapha Thiam, who opted for Michigan. But even with that hiccup, the roster is brimming with potential, and many experts are taking notice.
Take Jon Rothstein's latest way-too-early rankings, for instance. Michigan State has climbed near the top five, sitting at No. 6, just behind powerhouses like Florida, Duke, Illinois, Michigan, and UConn.
Earlier in the offseason, Rothstein had them closer to No. 10, but Fears' decision to return bumped them up the list. While Rothstein didn't detail his reasoning, it's clear that the Spartans' stock is rising.
There's a strong case for Michigan State to be even higher on that list. Sure, Michigan is riding high after a national title, but they're undergoing a significant roster overhaul. Meanwhile, the Spartans boast a roster that's built for a deep tournament run.
Izzo himself has hinted that this team might be his most complete in a decade. With NBA-caliber talent, an All-American point guard, a standout athlete, and a top-tier recruiting class, the Spartans are stacked. Add in a Hall of Fame coach like Izzo, and you've got a recipe for success.
It's still early days, but there's a sense that Izzo could break his Final Four drought next March. Detroit could very well be the stage for his second national title, with Duke and Florida potentially in the mix as well.
The excitement is real, and as the season inches closer, all eyes will be on Michigan State to see if they can turn this promising setup into championship glory.
In Other News...
Tom Izzos New 2027 Big Man Target Says Plenty About MSU
Tom Izzos latest move on the recruiting trail says plenty about the kind of frontcourt piece Michigan State is chasing for 2027. After the Philly Live event, the Spartans put a public scholarship offer in front of Jaydn Jenkins, a four-star big man whose game already has the traits Izzo tends to value: size, defense, and enough versatility to fit a modern lineup. At 6-foot-9, Jenkins has drawn attention for the way he can impact the floor without needing everything run through him.
The bigger picture for Michigan State is what makes the offer stand out. There are only a handful of roster openings available in that class, so every target matters, and Jenkins is clearly near the top of the list. He is still early in his development, but the combination of his physical tools and long-term upside gives the Spartans a compelling option to monitor as the recruiting board starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Freshman Big Already Looks Like An Izzo Project
Ethan Taylor has barely gotten his Michigan State career started, but the freshman big already fits the mold of a Tom Izzo frontcourt project. A former top center prospect who spent part of the summer on Team USAs roster, Taylor arrived with real pedigree, and he has already noticed the kind of coaching and attention to detail that tend to define the Spartans big-man development.
Taylor has been upbeat about the early adjustment, saying the lessons are landing quickly as he learns what it takes to play in East Lansing. For a young center with long-term upside, that matters as much as any recruiting label, and it is why Michigan State seems to believe his best basketball is still ahead over the coming seasons. [Read more 🡒]
Draymond Green Just Triggered A Massive NBA Power Shift
Draymond Greens latest offseason decision has already sent a ripple through the NBA, and it starts with his choice to decline his $27.7 million player option for the upcoming season and hit free agency. For the Golden State Warriors, that kind of move does more than change one roster spot. It opens up flexibility at a moment when the franchise is once again being discussed in the kind of star-heavy terms that only come around when the leagues biggest names are in play.
From there, the speculation gets loud fast. Greens status has fueled talk of a reshaped Warriors core with Stephen Curry at the center, and the possibilities have even drifted into the kind of dream lineup that would pair him with Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Whether anything comes of it remains to be seen, but the fact that Greens decision has put Golden State back into that conversation says plenty about how much leverage one veteran can still create in the NBA. [Read more 🡒]