Big ten basketball preview: Michigan State Spartans

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesMichigan State Spartans

Head coach: Tom Izzo (27th season)

2020-21 record: 15-13 (9-11)

Season finish: NCAA Tournament First Four (Lost to UCLA)

What comes back

Michigan State has a solid returning core, and with the transfers they brought in, the Spartans will be back in the top half of the conference this upcoming season. Joey Hauser, Gabe Brown, A.J. Hoggard, Malik Hall, Marcus Bingham Jr., Julius Marble and Mady Sissoko all return for Tom Izzo and company.

The Spartans also bring in Tyson Walker from Northeastern — one of the top players in the Colonial Athletic Association last season. Walker averaged 18.8 points, 4.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game,…