It's only September, and it feels like all the experts are already ruling Michigan State basketball out of the Big Ten title race. Just months ago, the Spartans secured their first Big Ten title since 2020 by a whopping three games, and they made a run to the Elite Eight.
Now, after losing guys like Jaden Akins, Tre Holloman, and Jase Richardson from that elite backcourt, experts have been calling Michigan State a "borderline" top-five team in the Big Ten.
That's slanderous.
Michigan State brings back a core of Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Carson Cooper, and Jaxon Kohler, and the Spartans also bring in a solid two-man recruiting class and three quality transfers, but one (Kaleb Glenn) suffered an injury and will miss the entire season.