We’re going team-by-team across Big Ten men’s basketball to assess where everyone stands and how things could shake out in 2026-27.
Michigan State did Michigan State things in 2025-26. A 27-8 overall record with a triple-bye in the Big Ten Tournament, a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and a trip to the second weekend. The Spartans fell to UConn in the Sweet 16 in a tight one that easily could’ve gone their way. But legendary head coach Tom Izzo now turns the page to 2026-27 with another team that should contend for championships.
WHO’S GONE:
- Jaxon Kohler (12.5 PPG) (exhausted his eligibility)
- Carson Cooper (11.1 PPG) (exhausted his eligibility)
- Divine Ugochukwu (5.1 PPG) (transfer — LSU)
- Trey Fort (4.2 PPG) (exhausted his eligibility)
- Denham Wojcik (0.5 PPG) (exhausted his eligibility)
WHO’S BACK:
- Jeremy Fears Jr., G, R-Jr. (15.3 PPG)
- Coen Carr, F, Sr. (12 PPG)
- Kur Teng, G, Jr. (7.5 PPG)
- Jordan Scott, F, So. (5.9 PPG)
- Cam Ward, F, So. (5.2 PPG)
- Kaleb Glenn, F, R-Jr. (12.5 PPG at FAU in 2024-25)
- Jesse McCulloch, F, R-So. (2.4 PPG)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer portal
- Anton Bonke, C, Sr. (10.6 PPG at Charlotte)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports)
- Jasiah Jervis, G (four-star, No. 34)
- Ethan Taylor, C (four-star, No. 42)
- Carlos Medlock Jr., G (four-star, No. 48)
- Julius Avent, F (four-star, No. 88)
RETURNING MINUTES: 65.2 percent (per barttorvik.com) (Most in the Big Ten, 10th in the country)
Why it will work
The easy answer for this, with Michigan State, is simply the history. Izzo has led MSU to 28 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, the longest active streak in the country and the longest streak in Big Ten history. And Izzo has won at least one game in 12 of the last 14 NCAA Tournaments.
For the 2026-27 Spartans, specifically, there’s just a lot of talent. Fears could be preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, Carr is a proven contributor in the conference, and Teng has potential to break out in a bigger role this year. MSU’s freshmen sometimes have to wait their turn, but it’s easy to see one or more of the four top-100 players and three top-50 players giving the Spartans serious minutes right away. And given Izzo’s track record of player development, former four-stars like Scott and Ward could be ready for more responsibility.
The Big Ten will be strong next year, but MSU may be the favorite to win the conference title.
Why it won’t
It would be a major, major shock if Michigan State is not among the top third of the Big Ten in 2026-27. So what defines “not working out” for MSU may look different than it would for other programs. It’s fair to wonder if the Spartans could be stopped short of winning a Big Ten or national title if opponents are able to successfully limit Fears’ impact and force other players to take over. Carr and Teng have shown that ability, but they’ll be even bigger focal points of opposing scouting reports now. If some of the team’s tertiary options don’t present the threats Izzo will need them to be, Michigan State’s ceiling could be limited.
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