Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

9. Michigan State Spartans

2023-24 season record: 20-15 (10-10 Big Ten)

The top-5 preseason expectations didn’t pan out for the Spartans, though they still made yet another NCAA Tournament appearance. But they’re going to have to replace a lot of talent on the roster, including four starters. Malik Hall and Tyson Walker have graduated, while both Mady Sissoko and AJ Hoggard have entered the transfer portal.

The one starter who is back is Jaden Akins, who averaged 10.4 ppg as a junior. He’ll have his largest role yet next year and could be the next 15 ppg scorer for Michigan State. In the backcourt will be Tre Holloman and Jeremy Fears, who showed flashes of being good ball-handlers. Four-star freshman commits, Jase Richardson Jr. and Kur Teng will provide depth.

While head coach Tom Izzo is on record of not liking the transfer portal, he did add one of the top scorers in there. Frankie Fidler is a 6’7 forward from Omaha who averaged a career-high 20.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg, including a career-high 34 points on two occasions. Former 5-star prospect Xavier Booker is set to have a larger tole in the frontcourt, while Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler continue to add depth.

There are definitely a lot of unknowns with the current roster but as long as the Hall of Famer Izzo is around, their floor will be higher than most teams. But the ceiling… that is to be determined.