Michigan State basketball jumps into AP Top 25 for first time in over a year

For the first time in over a year, Michigan State basketball has jumped back into the AP Top 25 — no thanks to Jeff Goodman. On Monday, the Spartans slid into the No. 21 spot, jumping five spots since last week when they were the first team outside the AP Top 25.

It’s been since last November when the Spartans faced Arizona on Thanksgiving that the Spartans were ranked. Michigan State actually began the 2023-24 season ranked in the top five before falling to 4-5 nine games into the season. It eventually climbed out of that hole thanks to a demolishing of Baylor at Little Caesars Arena and the Spartans went on to capture a No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Fans are hoping this year is much different than the past 3-4 and it’s starting to feel that way.

Michigan State began last week with a blowout win over Minnesota on the road despite being just a 4.5-point favorite. The Spartans then hosted a NET top-40 Nebraska team on Saturday and beat the Cornhuskers by nearly 40.

While Michigan State’s lone ranked win isn’t looking so hot right now with North Carolina dropping out of the AP Top 25 this week, it’s still playing some of the best and most complete basketball we’ve seen in years. Tom Izzo has the Spartans playing really well right now. Two wins with an average win margin of 28 points to start Big Ten play is almost unheard of.

Michigan State will have three more non-conference games starting with Oakland at Little Caesars Arena next week after a 10-day break and then it’ll face FAU and Western Michigan to close out the year. After New Year’s, Michigan State will re-open Big Ten play with a tough road game against Ohio State.

This team has a chance to go on a lengthy winning streak and potentially jump into the top 15 before Big Ten play resumes.