A Top‑10 Forecast
The latest CBS Sports preseason poll has positioned Michigan State University’s men’s basketball team at No. 7 for the upcoming 2025‑26 season, just shy of the top five.
That placement reflects a roster that returns five of the top eight scorers from the previous 27‑8 campaign, a run that culminated in an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
Among the returning standouts are Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Kur Teng, Jordan Scott and Cam Ward, each of whom played a pivotal role in the team’s recent success.
The program will also welcome a highly touted recruiting class that includes Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke and four‑star prospects Ethan Taylor, Carlos Medlock Jr., Julius Avent and Jasiah Jervis.
Historically, Michigan State has often been projected as a preseason top‑10 program, and the current poll aligns with broader expectations that the Spartans will finish the season among the nation’s elite.
Coach Tom Izzo and his staff view the blend of experience and fresh talent as a solid foundation for a deep tournament run, making the No. 7 preseason placement a realistic starting point.