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2024–25 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team
The 2024–25 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represents Michigan State University in the 2024–25 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Spartans are led by 30th-year head coach Tom Izzo and play their home games at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan as members of the Big Ten Conference. Previous seasonThe 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. OffseasonCoaching changesOn 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] DeparturesOn 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]
Incoming transfersOn 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]
Recruiting classes2024 recruiting classOn 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]
2025 recruiting classOn 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]
PreseasonPreseason Big Ten pollsMichigan 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 rankingsThe 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 gamesThe Spartans played an exhibition game at Tom Izzo's alma mater, Division II Northern 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 seasonEarly non-conference gamesMonmouthThe 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. NiagaraThe 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. KansasThe 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 GreenMSU 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] SamfordThe 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 InvitationalColoradoMSU 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. MemphisThe 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 CarolinaIn 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 gamesMinnesotaThe 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. NebraskaThe 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 gamesOaklandAfter 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 AtlanticThe 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 committing only one turnover in the win. The Spartans moved to 10–2 on the season.[41] Western MichiganMSU, now ranked 18th in both polls, played Western Michigan, led by former Izzo assistant Dwayne Stephens, on December 30. The Spartans took the lead about six minutes in to the game and never relinquished it. However, they never led by more than 11 until less than four minutes were left in the game. Jaden Akins led the Spartans with 18 points while Carson Cooper scored a career-high 13. No other Spartan scored more than nine points though 11 players did score for MSU. Szymon Zapala led the Spartans with nine rebounds while both Tre Holloman and Jeremy Fears Jr. each had six assists. Both teams turned the ball over 17 times as MSU pulled away for the 80–62 win. In their final non-conference game of the season, MSU shot 50% from the floor and continued their strong free throw shooting, making more than 90% of their free throws in the win. The win moved the Spartans to 11–2 on the season.[42] Remaining conference gamesOhio StateThe Spartans returned to conference play and to the road to face Ohio State on January 3, 2025. The game remained close throughout the first half, but the Spartans were able to pull ahead and take a 37–29 lead at the half. They continued to increase the lead early in the second half as Szymon Zapala scored a season-high 15 points to lead MSU to a 12 point lead with less than 15 minutes remaining. However, the Buckeyes rallied to take the lead with less than nine minutes remaining. However, MSU responded with Xavier Booker going end-to-end to score on a three-point play. Tre Holloman added a three-pointer before a Booker dunk extend the lead to seven. MSU held on from there for the 69–62 win. Jaden Akins added 14 points while Coen Carr notched 11 in the win. The win, the Spartans seventh in a row, moved MSU to 12–2, 3–0 on the season.[43] WashingtonThe newly-ranked No. 16 Spartans faced Big Ten newcomer Washington on January 9. The Spartans manhandled the Huskies, jumping out to a 16–1 lead in the first nine minutes. MSU led 42–13 at the half. Washington, after scoring only 13 in the first half, scored 41 in the second half, but the Spartans added 46 in the half to win 88–54. The Spartans limited the Huskies to only 32% from the field and allowed only three three-pointers. MSU shot over 52% in the game and hit 17 of 18 free throws in the blowout. Jaden Akins led the Spartans with 20 points while Jase Richardson and Jeremy Fears Jr. added 12 each. Fears notched his first career double-double, adding 10 assists to his 12 points. The win moved MSU to 13–2 on the season while remaining unbeaten in conference play at 4–0.[44] NorthwesternThree days later, MSU traveled to face Northwestern. The Spartans started slow, trailing for most of the first six minutes, but went on a 33–12 to run for the remainder of the first half to take control of the game. MSU let by as many as 23 in the first half and 19 at halftime. In the second half, the Wildcats fought back, but only got within eight as the Spartans held on for another easy win, 78–68. MSU shot relatively poorly from the free throw line, making only 20 of 27 attempts. They did shoot 50% from three, making four of eight shots in the win. Jeremy Fears Jr again played well, scoring 12 points while adding eight assists. Jaden Akins led the Spartans again with 14 points while Jase Richardson added 13. The win kept MSU undefeated in conference play at 5–0 and pushed them to 14–2 overall.[45] Penn StateThe Spartans, now ranked No. 12 in the country, returned home to face Penn State on January 15. The Spartans never trailed in the game, but never pushed the lead to more than 11 points. Frankie Fidler played well, leading the Spartans with 18 points and seven rebounds in the game. Jaden Akins added 16 points and six rebounds. Eight of the 10 Spartans who played scored seven or more in the 90–85 win. The win marked the 10th straight win, the school's first 10-game winning streak since the 2019 season. MSU made only six of 23 three-pointers as they continued to struggle from three. The Spartans remained undefeated in Big Ten play at 6–0 and 15–2 on the season.[46] IllinoisMSU remained at home to face No. 16-ranked Illinois on January 19. The Spartans trailed early by as many as 10 points. However, they were able to narrow the lead and tie the game at 36 on a Jaxon Kohler put back at the half. In the second half, the game remained close, but the Spartans were able to take a lead by as many as seven with 3:53 remaining. A couple of missed baskets with less than 30 second left brough Illinois within one. However and Illinois turnover led to free throws for Tre Holloman to push the lead to three with five seconds remaining. Up three with those five seconds remaining, MSU chose to foul to avoid having Illinois make a game-tying three. The Illini made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second. They were able to secure a rebound, but the ensuing shot was shot over the backboard giving MSU the ball with 0.9 seconds left. The Spartans threw the ball down court to win the game 80–78. The Spartans only attempted 10 three-pointers while making three. MSU shot over 43% from the field as Holloman led the Spartans with 17 points. Frankie Fidler and Coen Carr each scored 11 as six Spartans scored eight or more in the win. The win was the Spartans 11th straight and left them the only undefeated team in conference play at 7–0 and 16–2 overall.[47] RutgersAfter five days off, the Spartans played Rutgers at Madison Square Garden on January 25. The Spartans had a slow start, falling behind in the first four minutes before taking the lead with 12:45 left in the first half. They would not trail from there, but only led by three at the half. In the second half, behind Jase Richardson's career-high 20 points, the Spartans pushed the lead to double digits and cruised to an easy 81–74 win. Coen Carr scored 14 points on five for five shooting and helped limit Scarlet Knights' star freshman Ace Bailey to four of 17 shooting in the game. Carr added eight rebounds while Jade Akins scored 12. The win marked the Spartans 12th straight win and moved MSU to 17–2 and 8–0 in sole possession of first place in conference. The in also marked Tom Izzo's 351st career Big Ten win, leaving him two behind Bob Knight's conference record of 353 wins.[48] MinnesotaThe Spartans returned home to face Minnesota on July 28. The Spartans dominated the Golden Gophers from the start, limiting them to 16 first half points and leading by as many as 22 in the first half. Tre Holloman made three consecutive threes late in the half to put the game out of reach. Leading by 20 at the half, the Spartans cruised to another easy win, beating Minnesota 73–51. Holloman led the Spartans with 12 points while Xavier Booker and Jaden Akins added 10. Jase Richardson notched eight assists while Carson Cooper grabbed 11 rebounds and added nine points. The win was Tom Izzo's 352nd career conference win, leaving him one behind Bob Knight. The Spartans moved to 18–2 and 9–0 on the season, their best start since 2019, with their 13th straight win. The win secured an undefeated December and January for the Spartans, the first time that had happened with Izzo as head coach.[49] USCThe Spartans will take to the road for a two-game West Coast trip, playing Big Ten newcomer USC on February 1. Roster
Schedule and resultsOn 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.[50] They will also participate in the Maui Invitational for the fifth time and the first time since 2019.[51] 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.[52] 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.[53] 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.[54] On September 10, the school announced the full non-conference schedule.[55] The school announced the full schedule on September 19.[56]
Player statistics
Source[57] Rankings
References
Information related to 2024–25 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team |
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