7. Michigan State (25-5)
A lot of things have gone right this season for a Spartans team that looks like a real contender once again. Tom Izzo’s program had underwhelmed since the pandemic, but this year and last year were both steps back in the right direction. Michigan State has some nice wins on the schedule and have recently found their footing, including last week’s clutch win at Purdue. Judging by this ranking, they clearly have maintained that momentum.
When the Spartans took the court back on Sunday, they secured another key road win, topping Indiana 77-64 in Bloomington. Jaxon Kohler was electric with 21 points and 13 rebounds while Jeremy Fears Jr. showed out too in a 21-point, 9-assist effort. Thursday’s home finale was a closer call, but the Spartans did just enough to win 91-87 over Rutgers. Twin 21-point efforts led the charge yet again, though this time it was from Fears and Coen Carr, surviving a hot-shooting night from the Scarlet Knights.
Michigan State has now won five straight games and put themselves in great position for the future. At 15-4, they’re clearly getting all the byes into the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals while also likely bumping themselves up a seed line for March Madness. Izzo and company are simply focused on what they can control and want a great showing next week, but you can’t ignore their season finale Sunday at Michigan.