Moving on up.

Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans have taken their first climb of the 2025 season, jumping from No. 22 to No. 17 in the national rankings after a 2–0 start with wins over Colgate and then-No. 14 Arkansas (now No. 21).

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The Spartans are never ones to shy away from tough opponents early in the season. In previous years, those heavyweight matchups sometimes led to early losses and quick drops in the rankings—but anyone who follows Izzo’s teams knows that’s all part of the plan.

He throws his team into the fire early, testing how they handle adversity. It’s a method that’s paid off time and again. By the time March rolls around, Izzo’s squads are battle-tested and transformed—largely because of the relentless nonconference schedule they face every year.

The 2025 campaign is no different. MSU opened the season against Colgate, a Patriot League powerhouse that has won four of the last five league titles and even had the game tied late in the second half. Then came a gritty win over John Calipari’s Razorbacks—a back-and-forth battle that finally broke MSU’s trend of early-season heartbreaks in close games.

That victory showed this team’s resilience. Winning a hard-fought game despite making just one three-pointer all night isn’t something you see often. In years past, those were the games where poor defense or rushed shots would dig an early hole. But 2025 already looks different.

With freshmen playing like veterans and upperclassmen playing like pros, this Michigan State team could be on the verge of something special.

Next up, the Spartans host San José State (0–2, with losses to Utah and UC Santa Barbara) on Thursday. While it won’t be the toughest test on the schedule, anything can happen in college basketball.

AP Top 25 Rankings (Week 2)

1. Purdue (21)
2. Houston (7)
3. UConn
4. Duke (1)
5. Michigan
6. Arizona
7. BYU
8. Kentucky (2)
9. Alabama
10. Florida
11. Texas Tech
12. Louisville
13. St. John's
14. Illinois
15. UCLA
16. Iowa State
17. Michigan State
18. Tennessee
19. Gonzaga
20. North Carolina
21. Arkansas
22. Wisconsin
23. Creighton
24. Kansas
25. Auburn

Upcoming Stretch

After San José State, the real gauntlet begins. Michigan State travels to Lexington to face No. 9 Kentucky, then returns home to the Breslin Center to host No. 18 North Carolina. Following their first Big Ten matchup, the Spartans will then welcome No. 4 Duke to East Lansing.

That’s vintage Izzo—loading the schedule with blue bloods to prepare for March. It’s also what makes early-season college basketball so entertaining: marquee matchups, elite coaching battles, and a glimpse at the stars of tomorrow.

It’s something college football could learn from. Basketball’s early-season showdowns invite fans in right away—showcasing new talent, transfers, and veteran leadership—all while sharpening teams for the madness to come.