Michigan State is quietly building a case as one of the most complete teams in college basketball this season-and the latest rankings reflect that. National analyst Jon Rothstein has the Spartans slotted at No. 7 in his updated top 45, keeping them firmly in the national spotlight even after a nail-biter of a win over Penn State.
That close call didn’t shake Rothstein’s confidence, and it’s not hard to see why. Michigan State is sitting at 9-1 overall, with a 2-0 start in Big Ten play.
Their only blemish? A loss to Duke, currently ranked No.
- That’s hardly something to hang your head about, especially considering the Blue Devils are playing some of the most disciplined basketball in the country right now.
Within the Big Ten, the Spartans are holding their own in elite company. Only Michigan (No. 2) and Purdue (No. 6) are ranked higher in Rothstein’s latest list. That’s three Big Ten squads in the top seven-an early sign that the conference could be a gauntlet once again come March.
Saturday’s game at Penn State was a test of grit more than style points. Michigan State didn’t dominate, but they did what good teams do on the road in conference play: survive and advance. That kind of win might not light up the highlight reels, but it builds character-and resumes.
Looking ahead, the Spartans are in a favorable stretch. They’ll be heavy favorites in their next three games, starting with a home matchup against Toledo on Tuesday night. These are the kind of games where a team can fine-tune its rotation, reinforce its identity, and build momentum before diving deeper into the Big Ten meat grinder.
So while the national conversation might be swirling around bluebloods and breakout stars, Michigan State is doing what Tom Izzo teams tend to do: stacking wins, growing tougher, and positioning themselves for a deep run when it matters most.
Keep an eye on this squad. They’ve got the pieces, the pedigree, and now, the national respect to match.