Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Holden Walter-Warner

Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) celebrates a basket in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) celebrates a basket in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tyson Walker Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Tyson Walker Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

. Spartans . 4. team. 486. .

Michigan State has endured more drama this offseason than usual. But Tom Izzo’s squad appears ready to come out the other side stronger than before.

Izzo reached a number of landmarks last season, earning his 650th win with the Spartans and surpassing Bob Knight to become the most winning coach in Big Ten history. Despite a mediocre conference season, Michigan State made its 24th straight NCAA Tournament, where Izzo became one of Coach K’s final victims.

The offseason didn’t go well, though. Gabe Brown and Marcus Bingham Jr. went pro. So did Max Christie, who became a second round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers. Longtime assistant Dwayne Stephens also jumped ship, taking on his own head coaching job at Western Michigan.

Recent weeks have brought more favorable news to the program. Izzo recently scored major wins on the recruiting trail and just received a five-year extension at the school.

Tyson Walker will be expected to lead the team this season. The former Northeastern guard averaged 8.2 points and 4.3 assists per game during his first season in East Lansing, well below what he was putting up in the CAA. But Walker is a steady floor general and should benefit from another year in the system.

Izzo will also be relying on his other upperclassmen to pick up the load. Joey Hauser decided to use his extra year of eligibility, while A.J. Hoggard and Malik Hall are back too. That’s a solid group.

If Mady Sissoko takes a leap, Michigan State becomes special. The center hasn’t been able to consistently crack the rotation in his first two season in East Lansing, but there’s an opportunity this year to get some playing time. Then again, freshman Jaxon Kohler could quickly push for playing time at center.

The positive news of recent weeks may be building momentum towards a better-than-expected campaign for the Spartans. Michigan State doesn’t have the same star pedigree as some of the Big Ten teams ahead of them in the preseason, but Izzo always gets his team in fighting shape.

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