Michigan State basketball projected as No. 7 seed in way-too-early bracketology

It’s been five years since Michigan State basketball last made a legit run in the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans were close to a special run during the 2022-23 season when AJ Hoggard, Tyson Walker, and Joey Hauser were a couple of plays away from beating Kansas State in the Sweet 16 to advance to an Elite Eight game against FAU.

Following last season’s second-round exit because of a loss to No. 1 seed North Carolina, Tom Izzo vowed to get Michigan State back deep runs in the NCAA Tournament or “die trying”.

What does “die trying” look like? Well, it looks like signing one of the best recruiting classes in 2024 and landing Frankie Fidler and Szymon Zapala in the transfer portal. The roster seems rather complete despite losing AJ Hoggard (transfer to Vanderbilt), Mady Sissoko (transfer to Cal), Tyson Walker (NBA), and Malik Hall (NBA). The growth of guys like Jeremy Fears Jr., Xavier Booker, and Coen Carr should help this team take that next step and contend in the Big Ten.

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi also sees the Spartans competing in the conference, listing them as the fifth-highest seed in his way-too-early 2025 NCAA Tournament projection.

The Spartans would play No. 10 seed Ole Miss in the first round in the South Region with North Carolina as the 3-seed, Iowa State as the 2-seed, and Alabama as the No. 1 seed. This would be a pretty tough region, but I’d like Michigan State’s chances, especially since I believe it will be an improved team from last year. And North Carolina should take a step back so that could set up a potentially winnable Sweet 16 matchup.

Obviously I’m getting way too ahead of myself since it’s only October and the first game isn’t until Nov. 4. A lot is going to happen from now until March and I think Michigan State could finish as a top three seed from the Big Ten.

Right now, Lunardi has Purdue (No. 4), Illinois (No. 6), Indiana (No. 6), and UCLA (No. 6) ahead of the Spartans in terms of NCAA Tournament seeding, but I see that changing.

Don’t be surprised when Izzo and Michigan State basketball surprise some people this year.