11. Michigan State (5-0)
A perfect start to the season and a strong November already paints a picture about these Spartans. The expectations weren’t quite this high out of the gate, even though Tom Izzo’s team did claim the Big Ten crown last season in another surprise. The Spartans got a nice win over Arkansas in the opening week of the season but built on that success with an even more impressive showing just a few days ago.
That brilliance came Tuesday as Michigan State knocked off a talented Kentucky squad 83-66 in the Champions Classic. Jaxon Kohler emerged with 20 points, Jeremy Fears Jr. had 13 assists, and the Spartans surprised many with a resounding effort in New York City. The work on Friday was just as successful, as the Spartans downed Detroit 84-56 to finish another strong week. Fears had 18 points and 11 assists and lead the fifth straight win for this team.
In the first few weeks, there were legitimate concerns about Michigan State’s outside shooting, but that part of their game came alive in the win over Kentucky. If the Spartans offense has truly turned a new leaf, then this is a team that can contend for another Big Ten title and even make some noise on the national level; after all they’ve already been doing that here. They next head to the Fort Myers Tip-Off which includes a notable matchup against North Carolina.