Where Michigan State basketball falls in various 'Way-Too-Early' 2023-24 rankings
The 2022-23 men's college basketball season concluded on Monday night, when the Connecticut Huskies defeated the San Diego State Aztecs, 76-59, to win their fifth national title in school history.
As soon as that game ended, various publications turned their attention ahead to next season and released 'Way-Too-Early' Top 25 projections.
Here's where Michigan State landed in those various projections:
USA Today
Michigan State — No. 7
What they said: "This has the makings of a Tom Izzo team that can be a title contender if seniors Tyson Walker and Malik Hall decide to stick around. Even if Walker and Hall move on, the backcourt tandem of A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins should return, plus Jaxon Kohler and Mady Sissoko are part of a deep rotation up front. What could push Michigan State over the top are two five-star recruits - Xavier Booker and Jeremy Fears."
Sports Illustrated
Michigan State — No. 10
What they said: "A big decision looms for leading scorer Tyson Walker, who still has his extra year of eligibility should he want to return to East Lansing. If he does, this will be one of the best backcourts in the nation, featuring Walker, AJ Hoggard, Jaden Akins and talented freshman Jeremy Fears. Additions like wing Coen Carr and big Xavier Booker also improve this group athletically, which at times was a problem up front. With Walker back, this could be Michigan State’s best team since the Cassius Winston era."
The Athletic
Michigan State — No. 6
What they said: "The Spartans will have to replace three talented veterans, but they are also bringing the best recruiting class Tom Izzo has signed in a long while. Booker and Fears are both McDonald's All-Americans. Akins had a spotty season while dealing with injuries, so getting him ready to be an alpha scorer will be critical. Cooper and Kohler showed signs of potential last season and should have ample opportunity to play more significant roles.
ESPN
Michigan State — No. 6
What they said: "There should be a nice mix of incoming talent and experienced returnees in East Lansing next season. A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins return on the perimeter, while Tyson Walker still has another year of eligibility if he chooses to exercise the option. Tom Izzo also brings in five-star point guard Jeremy Fears, who plays with aggressiveness and toughness. Top-10 prospect Xavier Booker is a future lottery pick if he can find consistency.
247Sports
Michigan State — No. 12
What they said: "The Spartans have some major decisions to watch on potential super seniors, guys like Tyson Walker and Malik Hall. Bringing back both would make this ranking too low for the Spartans, who should bring back talented backcourt pair AJ Hoggard and Jaden Akins and could get plus frontcourt play from returnees like Mady Sissoko, Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper and five-star freshman Xavier Booker, 247Sports’ No. 10 ranked player.
Fox Sports
Michigan State — No. 8
What they said: "Tom Izzo has a team that can be near the top of the country next season. We know AJ Hoggard and Jaden Akins are tracking to be back in East Lansing, and if Tyson Walker also returns, oh boy. Enter five-star big man Xavier Booker and five-star point guard Jeremy Fears into the fold, and the Spartans are sizzling entering next year with the nation's No. 3 recruiting class.
CBS Sports
Michigan State — No. 11
What they said: "This ranking is based on the Spartans returning five of the top six scorers 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.
Consensus 'Way-Too-Early' Top 25 rankings
- Marquette
- Connecticut
- Duke
- Purdue
- Creighton
- Miami
- Michigan State
- Florida Atlantic
- Kansas
- Houston
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Kentucky
- Arkansas
- UCLA
- Texas A&M
- Gonzaga
- Baylor
- Texas
- Saint Mary's
- North Carolina
- San Diego State
- USC
- Tennessee
- Colorado
- Others receiving votes: Maryland, Auburn, Virginia, Xavier, Ohio State, Missouri, Iowa State, Memphis, Boise State, Rutgers, Mississippi State
