NCAA Basketball: Baylor rises, Kentucky falls in latest 2023-24 WTE power rankings
By Joey Loose
4. Michigan State
There were ups and downs last season for the Spartans but Michigan State took a 7-seed into the Sweet Sixteen, certainly exceeding expectations in the postseason and upsetting Marquette in the process. Moving forward, expectations are even higher with the amount of talent Tom Izzo will have in East Lansing this year.
The Spartans lose Joey Hauser but bring back every other player who averaged at least 5 points a game including leading scorer Tyson Walker, backcourt pieces AJ Hoggart and Jaden Akins, and big man Mady Sissoko. They’ll add into the mix a talented recruiting class that includes 5-star center Xavier Booker and a pair of Top 40 pieces in Jeremy Fears and Coen Carr.
Overall, the Spartans are bringing back a lot of what made last year’s team successful while adding some really talented freshmen into the rotation as well. It’s a rare combination of returning most of their minutes while also boosting it with young talent. Izzo didn’t need to get his hands dirty in the Transfer Portal. Instead, he got everyone back for what could be a special year for the Spartans.