The Spartans finished the 2023–24 season 20–15, 10–10 in Big Ten play to finish in a three-way tie for sixth place.[1] As the No. 8 seed in the Big Ten tournament, MSU defeated Minnesota in the second round[2] before losing to top-seeded Purdue in the quarterfinals.[3] The Spartans received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 9 seed in the West region, extending Izzo's record-setting streak to 26 straight tournament appearances.[4] They defeated Mississippi State in the first round before losing to No. 1-seeded North Carolina.[5] The Spartans were led by Tyson Walker who averaged 18.4 points per game and Malik Hall who averaged 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Offseason
Coaching changes
On April 3, 2024, assistant coach Mark Montgomery was named the head coach at Detroit Mercy.[6] On June 6, Tom Izzo announced that former Michigan assistant coach Saddi Washington had been named an assistant coach with the Spartans.[7] Izzo also announced that assistant coach Doug Wojcik had been promoted to associate head coach.[8] Recruiting director Jon Borovich and video coordinator Austin Thornton were elevated to assistant coaches.[7]
Departures
On April 4, senior center Mady Sissoko announced he had entered the transfer portal.[9] On April 29, Sissoko announced he would transfer to California.[10] On April 18, Tom Izzo confirmed that senior point guard A. J. Hoggard would not return for his fifth year at MSU.[11] On May 18, Hoggard announced he would transfer to Vanderbilt.[12]
On April 23, 2024, Omaha small forward Frankie Fidler announced he would transfer to Michigan State.[13] This marked he first time since 2021 that the Spartans had a transfer join the team – MSU being one of the few schools to not accept many transfers in the new transfer portal era.[14] Fidler averaged 20.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game with Omaha in the 2023–24 season.[13] On May 14, Longwood center Szymon Zapala announced he will transfer to Michigan State.[15] Zapal spent three years at Utah State before playing at Longwood in the 2023–24 season.[16]
On April 3, 2023, four-star shooting guard Kur Teng committed to MSU for the 2024 season.[17] On April 20, four-star center Jesse McCulloch announced he too would play for MSU in 2024.[18] On October 15, four-star shooting guard Jase Richardson, son of former MSU star Jason Richardson, announced he would join the Spartans in 2024.[19] Richardson became the first son of a player who played for Izzo as head coach to commit to MSU.[20]
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
2025 recruiting class
On October 10, 2024, MSU received its first commit in the 2025 recruiting class when four-star small forward Jordan Scott announced he would play for the Spartans in 2025.[21] On October 20, four-star power forward Cam Ward announced he would also play for Michigan State in 2025.[22]
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
Preseason
Preseason Big Ten polls
Michigan State was picked to finish in fifth place in the conference by an annual, unofficial preseason poll of basketball writers.[23] They received one first place vote.[23] No Spartan was named to the conference's preseason All-Big Ten team.[24]
Preseason rankings
The Spartans were not ranked in the preseason AP poll, but they did receive votes.[25] Michigan State was also unranked in the preseason coaches poll, but did receive votes.[26]
Exhibition games
The Spartans played an exhibition game at Tom Izzo's alma mater, Division IINorthern Michigan, on October 13, 2024.[27] Prior to the game, Izzo had his jersey retired by Northern Michigan.[28] The game, played in the football team's Superior Dome, was won by the Spartans 70–53. Jase Richardson led the Spartans with 11 points while Xavier Booker added 10. Jaxon Kohler nabbed eight rebounds and scored nine in the win.[27]
The Spartans played a second exhibition game at Breslin Center on October 29 against Ferris State. Frankie Fidler led the Spartans with 14 points, 12 of which came in the first half, as MSU won 85–67. Jaxon Kohler led the Spartans with 11 rebounds while Xavier Booker added 10 points in the win.[29]
Regular season
Early non-conference games
Monmouth
The Spartans opened the season on November 4 against Monmouth at Breslin Center. Jaden Akins led the Spartans with 23 points while freshman Jase Richardson was the only other Spartan in double figures in scoring with 10 points. 11 different Spartans played over 10 minutes in the game as MSU won easily 81–57. Akins led the Spartans with nine rebounds and Jeremy Fears Jr. had eight assists in the win. MSU only made three of 18 three-point attempts in the game.[30] The win moved MSU to 1–0 on the season.
Niagara
The Spartans next faced Niagara on November 7. Jaxon Kohler set career highs for points and rebounds, 20 and 13 respectively, as MSU blew out the Purple Eagles 96–60. Jeremy Fears Jr. led the Spartans with 13 assists as four Spartans scored in double figures in the win. MSU improved their three-point shooting, making six of 18 shots in the win.[31] The win moved MSU to 2–0 on the season.
Kansas
The Spartans faced No. 1-ranked Kansas as part of the Champions Classic on November 12 in Atlanta. MSU fell behind early, trailing 6–0. However, the Spartans rallied and kept the game close throughout the half and were within six at the break. Jase Richardson hit a three-pointer with a second left in the first half and was fouled to further narrow the lead. Frankie Fidler led the Spartans with 15 points, including 8–8 from the free throw line. Jaxon Kohler added 12 points and 10 rebounds, but the Spartans lost 77–69. Again, MSU had 10 players play at least 12 minutes in the game, but only Fidler and Kohler scored in double digits. MSU shot poorly from three again in the game, making only three of 24 attempts. The loss dropped MSU to 2–1 on the season.[32]
Bowling Green
MSU returned home to face Bowling Green on November 16. The Spartans trailed throughout the first half, but were able to tie the game at 43 at half time. However, MSU fell behind again in the second half, trailing by as many at eight. The Falcons took at 72–68 lead with 7:11 left in the game. However, MSU shut out the Falcons from there, finishing on a 18–0 run to end the game and win by 14. Jaden Akins led the Spartans with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Six other Spartans scored in double figures in the win. MSU's three-point shooting continued to struggle as the Spartans made only four of 20 shots from three. The win moved MSU to 3–1 on the season.[33]
Samford
The Spartans played Samford on November 19 at Breslin Center. MSU again fell behind early and trailed by as many 13 in the first 10 minutes. However, the Spartans rallied and took the lead with a little more than four minutes left in the half, outscoring the Bulldogs 13–3 to end the half. Samford refused to go away in the second half however as MSU never led by more than 13. The Spartans, who continued to struggle shooting the ball, held on for the 83–75 win. Jaden Akins led the Spartans with 25 points while Jase Richardson and Frankie Fidler added 12 each. The Spartans made seven of 24 three-pointers.[34]
Maui Invitational
Colorado
MSU next traveled the Maui Invitational to play Colorado in the first game on November 25. The Spartans continued to struggle from three, making only two of 21 three-point attempts. Despite this, the Spartans shot 50% from the field as they controlled the game against the Buffaloes. Leading by 13 at the half and by as many as 19 in the second half, MSU won easily 72–56. Jase Richardson led the Spartans with 13 points while no other Spartans scored in double figures. However, 10 Spartans scored in the win.[35] The win moved the Spartans to 5–1 on the season.
Memphis
The Spartans faced Memphis in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational on November 26. The Spartans kept the game close throughout the first half and exchanged the lead for the first eight minutes of the game. However, they trailed by three at half time. Memphis took control of the game in the second half, leading by as many as 15 on a couple of occasions while MSU brought the lead down to seven. However, the Spartans, who made seven of 20 three-pointers, could not come any closer as they lost for the second time on the season. The Spartans shot only 63% from the free throw line in the 71–63 loss. Jase Richardson led the Spartans with 18 points while Jaden Akins added 12. Richardson did take an elbow to the head in the game, but did not leave the game. The loss dropped MSU to 5–2 on the season.[36]
North Carolina
In the third-place game, the Spartans faced No. 12 North Carolina the next day. It was announced before the game that Jase Richardson would not play after developing symptoms after taking an elbow to the head the day before. Tre Holloman got the start in place of Frankie Fidler and led the Spartans with a career-high 19 points including three of six three-pointers and six-for-six from the free throw line. MSU only made one other three in the game (from Fidler) and shot 25% from three. The Spartans led throughout the first half, pushing the lead to as many as 12 on several occasions. Holloman hit a three as time expired in the first half, but a review showed he did not get the shot off before the shot clock had expired, so the Spartans only led 43–34 at the break. The Tar Heels quickly tightened the lead in the second, but MSU remained in the lead throughout the half and held an eight-point lead with just over four minutes left in the game. However, they were outscored 11–1 to finish regulation with UNC hitting a three to tie the game and force overtime. In overtime, the team's exchanged leads until MSU was able to hold on as Xavier Booker and Holloman combined for eight points in overtime in the 94–91 win. The win moved MSU to 6–2 on the season.[37]
Early conference games
Minnesota
The Spartans next traveled to face Minnesota on December 4 in their first conference game of the year. MSU started well, taking an early lead before Minnesota rallied to take the lead. However, after the game was tied with 12 minutes left in the half, the Spartans took control and never trailed again. They led by 12 at the half and by as many as 21 in the second half on their way to an easy 90–72 win. MSU shot 50% from three, making 11 three-pointers. 12 players played and all scored for the Spartans in the win. Coen Carr led the Spartans with 12 points while three other Spartans scored in double figures. Jaxon Kohler notched a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Jase Richardson returned to the lineup and added four points and four assists. Tre Holloman scored eight with eight assists in the easy win.[38] The win moved MSU to 7–2 on the season and 1–0 in conference play.
Nebraska
The Spartans returned to Breslin to play Nebraska on December 7. MSU took the early lead in their second conference game and never trailed. Nebraska kept it close in the first half, but the Spartans led by 10 at half time. However, in the second half, the Spartans blew the game open, pulling ahead and leading by as many as 42. MSU made nine of 23 three-pointers and shot 51% from the field in the game while limiting Nebraska to 33% from the field. Jaden Akins led all scorers with 18 while Jase Richardson added 16. Ten different Spartans scored while Jaxon Kohler had a game-high 12 rebounds. The Spartans dominated the Cornhuskers on the glass, outrebounding them 48–19 as MSU won easily 89–52. The win marked the team's second largest conference win in school history.[39] The win moved the Spartans to 8–2 and 2–0 on the season.
Remaining non-conference games
Oakland
After 10 days off, the Spartans faced Oakland in Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The Spartans struggled early with the Golden Grizzlies' zone and led by one at the half. In the second half, they were able to pull away as Xavier Booker scored a career-high 18 points while Jaden Akins added 16. The lead ballooned to more than 20 late and the Spartans won easily 77–58. MSU continued its strong free throw shooting on the season, making 19 of 23 free throws and shot 43% from the field in the win. Jaxon Kohler scored 15 and added 10 rebounds in the win. The Spartans moved to 9–2 on the season. Tom Izzo and Oakland coach Greg Kampe work matching Grinch sweaters on the sidelines during the game.[40]
Florida Atlantic
The newly-ranked Spartans (No. 20 in AP, 18 in Coaches) returned home to face Florida Atlantic on December 21. The Owls kept the game close through the first 16 minutes, but the Spartans pushed the lead to 13 at the half. Coen Carr had a career day, scoring 17 points on several highlight dunks and making his first career three pointer in the second half. MSU controlled the game in the second half and won easily 86–69. Carr added eight rebounds while Jaxon Kohler notched a game-high 12. Jeremy Fears Jr. dished out eight assists while commiting only one turnover in the win. The Spartans moved to 10–2 on the season.[41]
Western Michigan
MSU, now ranked 18th in both polls, will face Western Michigan, led by former Izzo assistant Dwayne Stephens, on December 30.
Roster
2023–24 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team
On May 1, 2024, Tom Izzo announced that the Spartans would take 10-day trip to Spain as the team had previously done in 2015. The Spartans will once again participate in the Champions Classic.[42] They will also participate in the Maui Invitational for the fifth time and the first time since 2019.[43] On May 2, the Big Ten announced the conference opponents for the 2024–25 season as the conference expands to 18 teams. Each school will play seven teams at home, seven on the road, and three teams both on the road and at home.[44] The Spartans will face Indiana, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington, and Wisconsin at home while facing Iowa, Maryland, Northwestern, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA, and USC on the road. MSU will play Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota home and away.[45] On August 8, the school announced the team would play an exhibition game against Tom Izzo's alma mater, Northern Michigan, at the school's football stadium, the Superior Dome on October 13.[46] On September 10, the school announced the full non-conference schedule.[47] The school announced the full schedule on September 19.[48]
