We’re now a month into the NCAA men’s basketball season, and so far, there hasn’t been a more exciting team to watch than the Michigan State Spartans. Head Coach Tom Izzo continues to amaze us with a recent string of impressive seasons, during which his teams have consistently exceeded pre-season expectations. Although they’re only nine games into the 2025-26 campaign, Michigan State University (MSU) has not only been on a complete tear but has done so with the utmost charisma.
In some highlight games of the season, the Spartans have knocked off highly touted teams in some of the best battles we’ve seen so far. Their first big win came against Arkansas on Nov. 8 in a nail-biter that saw MSU squeak out with a 69-66 win at home. Viewers didn’t have to wait long to see a Michigan State highlight, as super athlete Coen Carr got the Spartans on the board with one of his many highlight dunks just under a minute into the game. Despite a solid showing from Carr, who dropped 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists, it was Cam Ward who stole the show. Off the bench, Ward scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while shooting the ball at an efficient 8/13 clip. This was the first real look at the Spartans against a tough opponent, and they didn’t disappoint.
Fast forward 10 days, and the Spartans would clash with the University of Kentucky at Madison Square Garden for a highly anticipated matchup. However, this game was almost over after the first 10 minutes, as the men in green dominated the Wildcats, thanks to Jaxon Kohler and Jeremy Fears. Kohler looked unstoppable down low, scoring at ease, whether it was off a dump off or a post-up from the block. The big man notched 20 points and five rebounds on 8/12 shooting.
As for Fears, this was his fourth game in a row dishing out over nine assists, doing so in Andre Miller-like fashion. The sophomore guard has been nothing short of incredible thus far. He’s leading the nation in assists with 9.8, while scoring 11.6 points per game, shooting 41 per cent from the field and 38 per cent from three. Coach Izzo has nothing but good things to say about his floor general, praising the youngster for his remarkable leadership on the court.
“Good quarterbacks get you to final fours […] I think I got one in the making,” said Izzo.
After handling Detroit Mercy and East Carolina with ease, the Spartans would take on another undefeated team in North Carolina. The Tar Heels were on an impressive run of their own; however, somebody was going to be walking away with their first loss.
Like the game against Arkansas, Carr seems to love getting his team going with early dunks. The Georgia native would fly down the left wing, putting down one of his most ferocious dunks of the year just 45 seconds into the contest. Carr wasn’t done just yet, as five minutes later, he would throw down another nasty dunk, this time on top of a North Carolina defender that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Just when you thought it was over, Fears would set up another electric play, lobbing Carson Cooper, who would throw one down over James Brown for an emphatic and one. If you don’t like Michigan State now, you’re probably just hate watching.
The Spartans took control over the second half and cruised to a 74-58 statement victory.
Kohler finished with a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Fears dropped 19 points, five rebounds and seven assists, shooting an outstanding 8/10 from the field. More eyes will now be on Fears moving forward, as he’s proven to not only be one of the best point guards in the entire country, but one of the most efficient as well.
Michigan State’s explosive offensive playstyle and charismatic players have cemented them as one of the must-watch teams of the 2025-26 NCAA men’s basketball season. Not only that, but this team is also talented enough to make a deep run when March rolls around, barring any serious injury. Izzo always has his players ready, and with one of the best point guards and athletes on the team, the Spartans look ready to compete for a national championship come March.