Way-too-early predictions for Michigan State basketball in 2025-26

The 2024-25 Michigan State basketball season felt like a return to form for Tom Izzo and his Spartans.

After a five-year period that included many anxiety-inducing Selections Sundays hoping the Spartans would make the cut for the NCAA Tournament, MSU dominated the Big Ten this year, cruising to a Big Ten title and a 2-seed in the tournament, where they were just six points away from a Final Four berth.The year has restored a lot of the faith and excitement around the team.

While there will be some new faces in the building next year, the expectations have definitely shifted back to normal for MSU.

Instead of just hoping the Spartans can eek their way into the Tournament, there will be hope for another strong push next year.

Below, our staff took a stab at making some predictions, including team MVP, sixth man, season outlook, and more.Team MVPCory Linsner: Jeremy Fears Jr.Robert Bondy: Jeremy Fears Jr.Andrew Brewster: Coen CarrAnalysis: This is going to be Jeremy Fears Jr.'s team next year.

Tom Izzo could have broke the bank and brought in an elite-level transfer to be the alpha on offense.

Instead, he added pieces that will complement Fears and his strengths.

I think this is the chalk pick for Team MVP, but I still opted to vote for Coen Carr here, but he will need to expand his scoring acumen to earn that title.Defensive Player of the YearCL: Trey FortRB: Coen CarrAB: Coen CarrAnalysis: Coen Carr wins the majority of the votes here, which isn't a surprise considering how far his defense took a leap.

Cory went with Trey Fort, which would be very welcome as the Spartans will need to replace both Jaden Akins and Tre Holloman's wing defense.Sixth ManCL: Kaleb GlennRB: Kaleb GlennAB: Kaleb GlennAnalysis: It seems were are all very high on Kaleb Glenn off the bench, which isn't a surprise as he's a very exciting player whose flaws will be less apparent in the bench role.

One note, I might have voted for Kohler here if he was slated to start the year off the bench.

However, I'm expecting him to start most games, at least at the start of the year, so...Best AdditionCL: Kaleb GlennRB: Kaleb GlennAB: Trey FortAnalysis: We were all high on the transfers they brought in this year, but I was tempted to put Cam Ward in here, but it's still unclear how many minutes he will be able to get in a crowded position.RotationRBStarters:Jeremy Fears Jr.Trey FortCoen CarrJaxon KohlerCarson CooperBench:Kaleb GlennJesse McCullochKur TengCam WardCLStart of the year:Starters:Jeremy Fears Jr.Trey FortCoen CarrJaxon KohlerCarson CooperBench:Kaleb GlennJesse McCullochKur TengCam WardEnd of the year:Starters:Jeremy Fears Jr.Trey FortCoen CarrCam WardJesse McCullochBench:Kaleb GlennCarson CooperKur TengJaxon KohlerABStarters: Jeremy Fears Jr.Trey FortCoen CarrJaxon KohlerCarson CooperBench: Transfer PGKaleb GlennJesse McCullochKur TengCam WardAnalysis: Cory had the spiciest rotation, as he actually broke his down between the start of the year and the end of the year, with a prediction that Cam Ward and Jesse McCulloch will overtake Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper for starter minutes in the back half of the season.

There have been rumors for a while that McCulloch has been impressive in practices, and Cam Ward is coming into East Lansing with a lot of hype, so that wouldn't be a huge shock.For more on the potential rotation, I published a piece diving into more detail last week, which you can find here.Season Record/March Madness outcomeCL: 22-14, Round 32RB: 26-12, Sweet 16AB: 28-10, Elite 8Analysis: We are all varying degrees of positive about the outlook for next year, while still having the expectation that this probably isn't the year the Spartans really make a run at a national title.

I think the consensus is that next year will probably be a slight rebuild as the team re-orients itself around Jeremy Fears Jr.

and focuses on the development of incoming freshmen Cam Ward and Jordan Scott.

I was the most optimistic about their chances, predicting a similar outlook for next year that we saw this year, because I do expect the defense to still be elite and I think the Spartans made some savvy additions in the portal this offseason to improve their shooting.Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion.

You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Way-too-early predictions for Michigan State basketball in 2025-26.

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