yahoo
The Michigan State Spartans are set to tip off the 2026-27 college basketball season as the No. 6 team in the Associated Press preseason Top 25, the poll released Monday revealed.
Last season, the Spartans posted a 27-8 overall record and went 15-5 in Big Ten play, finishing the year ranked 11th in the final AP poll. With head coach Tom Izzo at the helm and promising players like Coen Carr and Jeremy Fears Jr., the team appears poised for another strong campaign.
The No. 6 preseason ranking is the highest for Michigan State since the 2023-24 squad opened at No. 4. The Spartans began last season at No. 22, climbed to as high as No. 7, and ended at No. 11.
This also marks the 24th time in Izzo's 32 seasons that the program has started a year inside the preseason Top 25.
Key Analysis
The Spartans' No. 6 preseason ranking underscores the high expectations surrounding the program, driven by the leadership of Coach Izzo and the potential of emerging talents Carr and Fears. With a solid returning core and a proven track record, Michigan State looks to build on last season's success and make a deep run in the 2026-27 campaign.
Originally reported by yahoo.