Michigan State entrenched in nation's Top 5 in updated 'Way-Too-Early' rankings
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We are still five months away from the start of college basketball season, but excitement and anticipation could not be higher for Michigan State's 2023-24 season.
After starting guards A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins both withdrew from the 2023 NBA Draft, as expected, the Spartans will return four of five starters from last season's squad which reached the 'Sweet Sixteen'. Due to that, and the return of seniors Tyson Walker and Malik Hall, expectations have soared for MSU.
Several publications have updated their 'Way-Too-Early Top 25' rankings for the upcoming season, and Michigan State resides inside the Top 5 for each publication.
Few people are higher on the Spartans than college basketball analyst Andy Katz, who lists Michigan State as the No. 3 team in the country in his updated 'Power 36' rankings, trailing only Kansas and Duke.
"Great chance to win a national championship with Jaden Akins, Malik Hall, A.J. Hoggard and Tyson Walker ," Katz said of the Spartans.
Other Big Ten teams featured in Katz' Power 36 include Purdue (No. 4), Ohio State (No. 19), Illinois (No. 20), Maryland (No. 22), Northwestern (No. 24), Indiana (No. 27), Wisconsin (No. 31) and Rutgers (No. 36).
Meanwhile, ESPN updated its rankings on June 2, and lists MSU at No. 4 behind Kansas, Duke and Purdue. Here's what they had to say about the Spartans:
We really liked Tom Izzo's team entering the offseason, and that was before Tyson Walker and Malik Hall announced they were taking advantage of their extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 and returning to East Lansing. Then A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins decided to return to the Spartans after testing the NBA draft waters. Michigan State now has experience and a high-level backcourt, as well as added depth and explosiveness with the arrival of five-star recruits Xavier Booker, Coen Carr and Jeremy Fears.
Projected starting lineup:
Tyson Walker (14.8 PG)
A.J. Hoggard (12.9 PPG)
Jaden Akins (9.8 PPG)
Malik Hall (8.9 PPG)
Xavier Booker (No. 7 in ESPN 100)
Interestingly, ESPN lists both Purdue and Michigan State in its Top 25, but no other Big Ten programs make an appearance. Wisconsin and Maryland dropped out of ESPN's rankings in this latest rendition, though they would rank No. 26 and No. 27, respectively, in the publication's list continued.
In addition, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi updated his projected 2024 NCAA Tournament bracket on June 6, and listed the Spartans as the No. 1 seed in the East Region. Lunardi projects eight Big Ten teams to reach the field of 68, tied with the SEC for the most teams from the same conference. Purdue (1-seed), Illinois (5-seed), Wisconsin (7-seed), Maryland (9-seed), Northwestern (9-seed), Indiana (10-seed) and Rutgers (11-seed) join Michigan State in Lunardi's projections.
Moving on to CBS Sports' Way-Too-Early Top 25, which was updated on June 1, the Spartans come in here at No. 5, trailing Kansas, Purdue, Duke and Florida Atlantic. Here's what CBS had to say about MSU:
This ranking is based on the Spartans returning five of the top six scorers - everybody except Joey Hauser -- from a team that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Michigan State will combine that core with a top-five recruiting class headlined by five-star prospects Xavier Booker and Jeremy Fears.
Illinois (No. 23) is the only other Big Ten team ranked by CBS.
Finally, it's been a while since the Athletic updated its Way-Too-Early rankings, with college basketball analyst Seth Davis' latest version coming out on May 12. That was prior to Akins and Hoggard's decision to withdraw from the NBA Draft, though Davis seemed to expect that result, ranking Michigan State at No. 2 behind only Duke.
Here are Davis' thoughts on Tom Izzo's squad heading into 2023-24:
Two seniors, 6-1 guard Tyson Walker and 6-8 forward Malik Hall, announced last month that they are returning for a super senior season. That moved them from the departing list to the returning list, which in turn moved the Spartans up my rankings. Two other starters, 6-3 junior guard A.J. Hoggard and 6-4 sophomore guard Jaden Akins, have declared for the draft but retained their eligibility. Neither was invited to the combine. Tom Izzo has used the transfer portal sparingly in the past (Walker played his first two seasons at Northeastern), but with an elite freshman class headlined by 6-10 forward Xavier Booker and 6-foot point guard Jeremy Fears coming in, Izzo did not need to add any more players to a roster that has the potential to deliver him that elusive second NCAA championship.
Tom Izzo and the Spartans aren't shying away from the high expectations that have been placed on them this offseason. Michigan State will miss senior forward Joey Hauser and the 46% he shot from 3-point range last season, but the Spartans should benefit from added depth and experience this upcoming season.
