Unbeaten Spartans shatter expectations, cracking top ten after dismantling ranked foes and setting sights on Duke. Dominant play fuels their meteoric rise.
The 25 Days of Christmas may start today, but for Michigan fans, the holiday arrived a little early. The newest AP Poll dropped — and two teams from the Great Lakes State landed inside the top ten.
Michigan State led the charge, climbing four spots from No. 11 to No. 7 and cracking the top ten for the first time this season after dismantling another ranked opponent last week.
The Spartans continue to put on a masterclass.
After an early-week win over East Carolina in the Fort Myers Classic opener, Michigan State prepared for its third ranked matchup of the season—having already won the first two. Then came Thanksgiving. While the state of Michigan suffered through yet another Lions loss on the holiday, the Spartans lifted the state's spirits with a decisive victory over then-No. 16 North Carolina.
With that win, Michigan State rises four spots from last week and has now climbed 15 spots from its preseason ranking of No. 22.
The Spartans are being propelled by standout forward Coen Carr, whose explosive leaping ability continues to electrify crowds — and NBA scouts. Carr is currently the only Spartan projected to be drafted, landing anywhere from the late first round to early second in most early mock drafts.
Meanwhile, Jaxon Kohler is anchoring the offense, leading the team in both points and rebounds per game. Jeremy Fears Jr. has taken command of the backcourt, pacing the entire nation with an impressive 9.7 assists per game.
Still, Michigan State’s success has been the product of a true team effort. Bench contributors like Kur Teng, along with freshmen Cam Ward and Jordan Scott, continue to deliver valuable minutes and steadily earn their stripes.
Even at No. 7, Michigan State is still arguably the second-best team in its own state, with rival Michigan surging to No. 3 in the nation. The Wolverines received 15 first-place votes—more than No. 2 Arizona—but remain third overall while the Spartans sit firmly at seventh.
This week brings two massive matchups that will shape the next AP Poll. On Tuesday, the 7-0 Spartans face fellow unbeaten Iowa (7-0) as Big Ten play opens. Then on Saturday at noon comes the biggest game of the young season: No. 7 Michigan State hosting No. 4 Duke at the Breslin Center.
Michigan State is no stranger to elite early-season challenges, and after already facing three ranked opponents, the Spartans are ready for a fourth.
AP Top 25 (December 1)
- Purdue (40)
- Arizona (6)
- Michigan (15)
- Duke
- UConn
- Louisville
- Michigan State
- Houston
- BYU
- Iowa State
- Gonzaga
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- Illinois
- Florida
- North Carolina
- Villanova
- Kentucky
- Texas Tech
- Auburn
- Kansas
- Indiana
- St. John’s
- USC
- Arkansas
The SEC leads the way with seven ranked teams for the second straight week. The Big 12 and Big Ten follow with six each, while the Big East landed two and the WCC one.
If Michigan State remains undefeated and adds a win over No. 4 Duke, a jump into the top five next week is well within reach. For now, the Spartans sit at No. 7 and are staring down one of the biggest weeks of the college basketball season.