NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2023-24 season

4. Michigan State Spartans

2022-23 season record: 21-13 (11-8 Big Ten) 

In a rare year where there weren’t big expectations, Michigan State still managed to be the last Big Ten team standing in the NCAA Tournament, losing in overtime in the Sweet 16 to Kansas State. But all Spartan fans have been waiting over a year towards what could be one of the best rosters Coach Tom Izzo has had in a while.

Just two rotation players are gone from last year’s team in forward Joey Hauser and wing Pierre Brooks. But not only everyone else is back, but a top-5 incoming freshmen class joins them. They’ll be led by the backcourt duo of Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard, who combined to produce around 28 ppg and 9.0 apg. Jaden Akins is another double-digit scorer back, while four-star guards, Jeremy Fears and Gehrig Normand add to the depth.

The Spartans didn’t use the transfer portal so the biggest addition this offseason is big man Xavier Booker, a five-star freshman ranked in the top 10 overall. He’s an outstanding offensive threat inside and out and could be a “one and done” NBA Draft prospect. Booker and the trio of returning bigs (Mady Sissoko, Carson Cooper, and Jaxon Kohler) will take up the minutes at the five, while top-50 freshman Coen Carr and Malik Hall (once he’s fully healthy) are options to play at the combo forward spots.

Giving Coach Izzo an experienced roster that also was a top-5 three-point shooting team a year ago is a recipe for success. The only thing stopping them from being the team to beat in the Big Ten is the rare return of a National Player of the Year winner.