Can the Spartans break their Final Four drought and chase a national title in a challenging tournament bracket? Their historic streak continues.
Death, taxes, and Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament.
The Spartans didn’t have to wait long to hear their name called on Selection Sunday. Michigan State will tip off its NCAA Tournament run Thursday against North Dakota State (27–7) in Buffalo, New York at KeyBank Center.
With the bid, Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans have officially made the NCAA Tournament for the 28th consecutive year.
That alone is an accomplishment like none other.
But the Spartans don’t play all season just to get into the tournament. They play to do something no Big Ten team has done since the Spartans last did it in 2000: win a National Championship.
Michigan State hasn’t reached the Final Four since 2019, when they fell to Texas Tech 61–51. The following year, Cassius Winston and the Spartans looked poised for another deep run before the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly ended the season. Since the pandemic, Michigan State has made one Elite Eight appearance — last year — when they fell to Auburn 70–64.
This also marks the first time in Izzo’s career that he has gone five consecutive seasons without reaching a Final Four. The Spartans will do everything they can to keep that streak from extending another year.
Throughout the season, Michigan State has seen its share of ups and downs. The Spartans began the year ranked No. 22 in the preseason Top 25 and climbed as high as No. 7 nationally during the season.
They started the year with statement wins over North Carolina, Arkansas, and Kentucky — an impressive opening stretch for a team that entered the season with some uncertainty surrounding it.
Some might describe the season as good but a bit of a roller coaster.
The Spartans had only lost twice early in the season — to Duke and Nebraska — before hitting a rough stretch that saw them lose three out of four games to Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. They then closed the regular season with another loss to Michigan and followed that with a defeat to UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
Even with those bumps along the way, it has been an impressive season fueled by the entire starting lineup and supported by strong contributions from the bench.
Jeremy Fears finished the regular season averaging 9.1 assists per game, leading the Big Ten. Fears also broke Cassius Winston’s Michigan State single-season assist record of 291, surpassing it by three assists. He now enters the NCAA Tournament — alongside Purdue’s Braden Smith — chasing the Big Ten single-season record of 313 assists, which Smith set during the 2024–25 season.
In the frontcourt, Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper have been the leaders Izzo hoped they would become. The duo has taken over games at times this season, forming a dominant presence inside that has helped propel the Spartans in key matchups.
Kohler finished third in the Big Ten in rebounds per game with 9.0, while Cooper wasn’t far behind at 7.1, good for 10th in the conference.
Michigan State ranks 15th nationally in rebounds per game, and much of that success rests on the shoulders of Kohler and Cooper.
Coen Carr has also continued to develop throughout the season. Known for his jaw-dropping athleticism — and ability to seemingly jump through the roof of any arena — Carr has steadily improved his shooting and defense, proving he’s far more than just a highlight-reel dunker. Carr averaged 11.6 points per game, ranking 44th in the Big Ten.
Jordan Scott has been another major revelation for the Spartans this year. The 6-foot-8 freshman was thrust into the starting lineup following the midseason injury to Divine Ugochukwu.
Scott didn’t shy away from the opportunity — he embraced it.
He quickly emerged as one of Michigan State’s best defenders while also contributing offensively. Scott recorded double-digit scoring performances in six straight games earlier in the season, though he hasn’t reached double figures in the five games since that streak ended.
Meanwhile, Michigan State’s bench has delivered when it mattered most.
Kur Teng has been a bright spot lately, averaging 10.2 points per game over his last nine contests. Freshman Cam Ward has made his presence felt on the glass, averaging 4.5 rebounds per game over his last six games. Trey Fort also stepped up in a big moment, pitching in a much-needed eight points against UCLA to help keep the Spartans within striking distance in the Big Ten Tournament.
Now Michigan State heads into the East Region on a two-game losing streak — but also with some extra rest.
At one point, the Spartans looked like a near lock for a No. 2 seed. However, the loss to UCLA dropped Michigan State to a No. 3 seed in what could be one of the tournament’s most loaded regions.
The East Region features powerhouse programs such as No. 1 Duke (the number one team overall), No. 2 UConn, No. 4 Kansas, No. 5 St. John’s, No. 6 Louisville, No. 7 UCLA, and No. 8 Ohio State.
Michigan State’s tournament journey begins Thursday against the Bison of North Dakota State.
If the Spartans advance, they will face either No. 6 Louisville or No. 11 South Florida in the second round.