MSU pegged as one team to decline, fail to meet last season's standard in recent article
CBS Sports released an article this past week that dived into a number of teams that "will struggle to meet last season's standard" and Michigan State made the list. The Spartans are coming off a Big Ten title winning season and Elite Eight finish in the NCAA Tournament, and Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports is not expecting Michigan State to match that same kind of success during the 2025-26 season.
"Richardson's departure does open the door for Michigan State to slide back to the rest of the pack in 2025-26," Trotter wrote. "College basketball can be cyclical, at times, and Michigan State has been hit with some unexpected tremors this offseason. The writing was on the wall with the dynamic Richardson down the stretch, but Tre Holloman's abrupt decision to transfer to NC State stung, too."
Trotter did, however, note that Michigan State still has a high-floor and that there is still plenty to be excited about for the Spartans next year.
"Make no mistake, Michigan State still has a high floor. Its blanketing 3-point defense isn't going anywhere," Trotter wrote. "(Carson) Cooper, (Jaxon) Kohler, (Coen) Carr and incoming freshman forward Cam Ward should help the Spartans keep smoking teams on the glass. (Jeremy) Fears single-handedly is a fast-break machine who should take a healthy step forward with a full, healthy offseason. Defense, rebounding and a turbo transition offense is a good recipe to be competent, and there are some real upside plays in Carr (future NBA player), Ward (who looks built in a lab to play for Izzo) and sophomore Kur Teng (baller)."
So it sounds like Trotter is expecting Michigan State to make the NCAA Tournament yet again this season, but just don't expect to win the conference and be a true National Championship contender. That aligns with most (including myself) in this point of the offseason.
The other teams expected to drop off from last season that were listed in the article were Saint Mary's, Maryland and Clemson.
Click here to read the full article from Trotter and his complete breakdown on why he believes the Spartans will regress next season.
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.
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