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NCAA Basketball: Kentucky, St. John's, Tennessee rises in updated way-too-early top 25 power ranking

Jan 31, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Kentucky won 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Jan 31, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Kentucky won 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
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11. Michigan State Spartans

2025-26 record: 27-8 (15-5 Big Ten)

Roster departures

  • Jaxon Kohler (12.5 ppg and 8.9 rpg)
  • Carson Cooper (11.1 ppg and 7.1 rpg)
  • Trey Fort (4.2 ppg and 1.3 rpg)
  • Divine Ugochukwu (5.1 ppg and 1.5 apg)

Roster returnees

  • Jeremy Fears (15.2 ppg and 9.4 apg)
  • Coen Carr (12 ppg and 5.4 rpg)
  • Kur Teng (7.3 ppg and 2.0 rpg)
  • Jordan Scott (5.8 ppg and 3.1 rpg)
  • Cameron Ward (5.1 ppg and 4.2 rpg)
  • Kaleb Glenn (12.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg at FAU in 2024-25)

Roster additions

  • Anton Bonke (10.6 ppg and 8.3 rpg at Charlotte)
  • Ethan Taylor (4-star center prospect)

Michigan State had to sweat a lot more than expected with the draft deadline, as Fears was a standout at the combine and had some second-round projections. Ultimately, he’s back as one of, if not the best point guard in all of college basketball next year.

Bonke, who also went through the draft process, is officially back. With both Cooper and Kohler gone, there’s plenty of pressure on the 7’2 center to have an immediate impact at center. Look for Glenn, who missed all of last year with an injury, to be an impact contributor on the wings.

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