Michigan State enters the 2026–27 season with one of college basketball's premier point guards, an experienced returning core and legitimate national championship ambitions.
Following a 27–8 campaign that ended in the Sweet 16, head coach Tom Izzo enters his 32nd season with another opportunity to lead the Spartans to the Final Four.
Michigan State begins the S³ Preseason Top 25 at No. 6.
But the Spartans have questions to answer before they can be considered legitimate favorites to win the national championship.
Fears Commands the Offense
Jeremy Fears Jr. returns as Michigan State's most important player and one of the nation's strongest candidates for National Player of the Year.
The redshirt junior averaged 15.2 points and a nation-leading 9.4 assists last season, setting a Michigan State record with 328 assists.
His command of the offense, ability to create scoring opportunities and improving offensive efficiency provide Izzo with an experienced floor general.
Fears is our selection as Michigan State's best player.
Carr Provides the Athleticism
Senior forward Coen Carr gives Michigan State one of college basketball's most explosive athletes.
Carr averaged 12.0 points and 5.4 rebounds last season, using his athleticism to finish around the basket and create transition opportunities.
Jordan Scott, Cam Ward and Kur Teng provide additional returning experience.
Freshman guard Jasiah Jervis gives the Spartans another potential offensive weapon.
However, the frontcourt remains a significant question.
The departures of Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper leave Izzo depending on transfer Anton Bonke, freshman Ethan Taylor and the development of his returning forwards.
Two Exhibition Losses Raise Questions
Michigan State lost 78–70 to UConn on October 20 before suffering an 86–79 defeat at Marquette five days later.
The Spartans struggled with offensive consistency and failed to establish their trademark transition offense.
Against UConn, Michigan State connected on just three of 20 three-point attempts.
Izzo must improve the team's offensive execution, establish dependable frontcourt production and develop a consistent rotation.
Although exhibition losses do not count toward the regular-season standings, they provide important evidence about the team's weaknesses.
Nine Games Against AP Top 25 Opponents
Michigan State faces nine regular-season matchups against eight teams appearing in the official AP Preseason Top 25.
| Opponent | AP Rank | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Duke | #2 | 1 |
| Illinois | #3 | 1 |
| Tennessee | #8 | 1 |
| Arkansas | #12 | 1 |
| Gonzaga | #15 | 1 |
| Michigan | #16 | 2 |
| USC | #21 | 1 |
| UCLA | #22 | 1 |
| Total | 9 |
Average Preseason Ranked Opponent: No. 12.8
The Spartans face significant early challenges against Duke, Tennessee, Arkansas and Gonzaga.
Conference competition includes road games against Illinois and Michigan, along with a second meeting against the Wolverines in East Lansing.
Can Michigan State Win the Big Ten?
Yes.
Michigan State enters as one of the conference's leading championship contenders.
Illinois received the most first-place votes in the preseason media poll, but Michigan State finished a close second.
Fears' leadership, Carr's athleticism and the program's returning experience give Izzo a legitimate opportunity to challenge for the regular-season championship.
The biggest concern remains frontcourt consistency.
Michigan State must replace its departed interior contributors while maintaining its physical defensive identity.
S³ Season Projection
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| S³ Ranking | #6 |
| AP Preseason Ranking | #6 |
| Proposed Regular Season | 26–6 |
| Big Ten Record | 16–4 |
| Best Player | Jeremy Fears Jr. |
| Biggest X-Factor | Anton Bonke |
| Ranked Opponent Games | 9 |
| Average Ranked Opponent | #12.8 |
| Big Ten Championship | Serious contender |
| Expected NCAA Finish | Elite Eight |
| Tournament Ceiling | Final Four |
| Possible Downside | Sweet 16 |
| Further Downside | Round of 32 |
S³ Final Word
Michigan State possesses the coaching, experience and backcourt leadership necessary to compete with the nation's elite programs.
Jeremy Fears Jr. gives the Spartans an exceptional offensive commander, while Coen Carr provides athleticism and additional scoring.
But replacing the frontcourt production of Kohler and Cooper remains a major challenge.
The exhibition losses to UConn and Marquette demonstrated that Michigan State must improve its offensive execution and physical consistency.
S³ tentatively projects Michigan State to finish 26–6 and advance to the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight.
A Final Four appearance would represent the Spartans exceeding their preseason expectations.
S³ Preliminary Prediction: 26–6 | Elite Eight | Final Four Ceiling.
Rank the team, not the reputation.
