Michigan State Rises Three Spots, Sits at No. 7 in Latest AP Poll

The word is in, and Michigan State is officially back where it’s been before.

The Spartans climbed three spots to No. 7 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll and No. 8 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, continuing a steady rise that’s been building for weeks. After sitting at No. 10 for what felt like forever, a combination of upsets across the top ten and Michigan State’s continued improvement on both ends of the floor has pushed Tom Izzo’s team back into the national spotlight.

It’s a familiar number for this group. All the way back on December 1, a then 6–0 Michigan State team rose to No. 7 before hosting Duke at the Breslin Center. The Spartans dropped that game and slid down the rankings shortly after. Seven weeks later, they’re back in the exact same spot—only this time with a much clearer identity.

Michigan State’s jump comes after surviving and thriving through a two-game West Coast trip that looked nerve-racking at the start of the season. Instead of stumbling, the Spartans found their footing, played connected basketball, and began stacking wins.

With the new ranking, Michigan State now sits as the third-highest ranked Big Ten team in the nation, trailing No. 3 Michigan and No. 5 Nebraska. The conference continues to flex nationally, and the Spartans are firmly in the mix.

At the heart of it all is point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. As Tom Izzo famously says, “the body always follows the head,” and Fears is undeniably the head of this team. He’s the engine, the quarterback, and the calm presence dissecting defenses like a prime Peyton Manning.

Fears currently ranks second in the nation—and second in the Big Ten—in assists per game at 8.8, trailing only Purdue’s Braden Smith (9.2). He’s coming off a remarkable 17-point, 17-assist performance, another example of how complete his game has become.

Offensively, Fears has elevated his scoring over the past month, delivering one masterclass after another. So much so that he’s now surged past teammate Jaxon Kohler as the team leader in points per game. Fears averages 13.4 points per contest, ranking 30th in the Big Ten, while Kohler sits right behind him at 13.2 ppg (31st).

Kohler’s impact goes far beyond the scoring column. He’s shooting 46.6% from three-point range, and even as he’s cooled slightly from deep, his inside-outside presence continues to cause problems for opposing defenses. Simply put, he’s too big, too skilled, and too versatile for most matchups.

And speaking of big—Michigan State is as big as they come.

Kohler averages 9.6 rebounds per game, second-best in the Big Ten. His journey has become one of the defining stories in East Lansing: a player who stayed, endured, and grew under Izzo during an era defined by transfers and quick exits. Now, he’s reaping the rewards.

Right alongside him is Carson Cooper, another example of loyalty paying off. Cooper has emerged as a key piece of the Spartan offense, averaging 7.2 rebounds per game, tied for ninth in the conference with Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg. His growth has added a physical edge and reliability to Michigan State’s frontcourt.

Then there’s Coen Carr, whose presence can quite literally shake a building. One dunk from Carr is enough to send a jolt through an entire arena, and the reactions—from teammates and opponents alike—are must-see moments. Recently, Carr has added efficiency to the spectacle, hitting a career-high three three-pointers against Oregon and going 6-for-8 from the field against Maryland.

Michigan State now turns its attention to a busy week ahead, hosting Rutgers on Tuesday before an epic Friday night showdown against No. 3 Michigan. With momentum building and confidence growing, the Spartans look every bit like a team that belongs in the top ten.

AP Top 25

USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll