It was not the ending to the season that Michigan State basketball wanted, but one publication believes the Spartans have a strong chance at cutting down the nets in Detroit next April.
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It's the time of year where nearly every national media outlet is releasing their "way-too-early" rankings for the upcoming season, and that includes USA TODAY Sports. Erick Smith and Paul Myerberg put together these rankings, which have the Spartans as the top ranked team heading into the offseason. Yes, that's right, Michigan State came in at No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports' way-too-early rankings.
Here's what the article had to say about the Spartans:
"Despite losing twin big men Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper, this could be a special season for the Spartans if - as expected - it brings back point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. and forward Coen Carr. Those give them two standouts to build around. Michigan State will also have great depth with most of this year’s rotation back in the fold. Tom Izzo will add in a very impressive recruiting class that ranks second nationally."
USA TODAY Sports' rankings is now the second poll I've personally came across with the Spartans holding the top spot. Seth Davis also had Michigan State as his No. 1 team in the way-too-early rankings he posted earlier this week.
Michigan State will return two high-level players in Fears and Carr -- assuming neither enter the portal -- and it's shaping up to where there may not be any other transfer portal surprises either. So other than replacing some key production in the front court from Cooper and Kohler, Michigan State should have a very talented squad that very well could enter next season No. 1 in the preseason polls.
We will have to see how the transfer portal shakes out and if Michigan State can add any key pieces via that. But for now, it's clear USA TODAY Sports is expecting big things from the Spartans next season.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU hoops takes top spot in USA TODAY Sports' 'way-too-early' rankings for next season