“Why MSU Hoops Is Poised for a Shocking Comeback in Next Year’s Rankings – You Won’t Believe Who’s Leading the Charge!”

As the basketball landscape shifts in anticipation of the upcoming season, Michigan State University finds itself in the spotlight, with many analysts and fans speculating on its potential. While a consensus places the Spartans among the top 25, a select few, including CBS Sports’ own Jon Rothstein, are raising the stakes—they’re slotting MSU into the coveted top 10 of their rankings. Rothstein’s recent release of his way-too-early projections for the 2025-26 season highlights his belief in the Spartans’ prospects, ranking them ninth overall. This places Michigan State favorably within a competitive Big Ten conference, trailing only powerhouse teams like Purdue, Michigan, and UCLA. With the Big Ten’s strength reflected in Rothstein’s findings, it’s crucial for fans to consider whether the Spartans can indeed maintain or enhance their standing among such esteemed rivals. Curious about the full rankings and what they mean for MSU’s journey? You can find all the details right here—LEARN MORE.In comparison to the Big Ten, Michigan State is only behind a trio of squads: Purdue (No. 2), Michigan (No. 5) and UCLA (No. 7). Other Big Ten teams included in Rothstein’s rankings (which is of the top 45 teams nationally) are Oregon (No. 14), Wisconsin (No. 21), Ohio State (No. 24), Illinois (No. 29), USC (No. 36), Nebraska (No. 38) and Northwestern (No. 39).Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.Like many in the college basketball media field, Rothstein released his way-too-early rankings for the 2025-26 season this week, and he is particularly high on the Spartans heading into next year. Rothstein has Michigan State slated as the No. 9 team in his rankings. In reviewing the many different super early preseason rankings, I have only seen two others have Michigan State in the top 10: Sporting News at No. 5 and The Athletic at No. 7.

Check out the complete rankings from Rothstein by clicking on the post below:Many have Michigan State basketball as a top 25 team heading into next year, but only a few have the Spartans in the top 10. That includes CBS Sports’ analyst Jon Rothstein.

It’s clear the Rothstein is very high on the Big Ten entering next year, as not many others have four teams from the league in the top 10 like him. But if the Big Ten is as good as he thinks it will be next year, then it certainly would make sense for the Spartans to be again in the top 10.