If you’ve spent any time in East Lansing during a cold January, you know the vibe. The air is biting, the wind off the Red Cedar River is brutal, and the only place that feels truly alive is the Breslin Center. Right now, Michigan State basketball is in the middle of a run that feels a little like a throwback, yet totally new.
We’re sitting in 2026, and the narrative around this program has shifted. For a few years there, critics were whispering—maybe a bit too loudly—that the game had passed Tom Izzo by. They talked about NIL, the portal, and the "old school" ways.
Then came this season.
As of mid-January, the Spartans are 15-2. They just dismantled Indiana 81-60. They’re sitting at No. 12 in the AP Poll and looking like a legitimate threat to win the Big Ten. But if you look closely at how they’re winning, it’s not just the "War on the Boards" anymore. It’s about a kid from Joliet who’s finally playing like the superstar everyone hoped he’d be.
The Jeremy Fears Jr. Era has Arrived
Honestly, Jeremy Fears Jr. is the engine. There’s no other way to put it. After the scary incident a couple of years back and the long road of recovery, he isn't just back; he’s better. Against Indiana, he put up 23 points. He scored the team's first 10 points of the game by himself.
He’s averaging nearly 9 assists a night. Nine!
That’s Magic Johnson or Mateen Cleaves territory in terms of pure floor leadership. When Fears is efficient, the Spartans are almost impossible to beat. In their only two losses this year—to Duke and Nebraska—he struggled from the field. It’s pretty simple: as Jeremy goes, Michigan State basketball goes. He’s a junior now, a captain, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder that makes him look like a 30-year-old pro out there.
He isn't doing it alone, though. Jaxon Kohler is finally the double-double machine we saw in those high school mixtapes. He’s averaging 14.4 points and over 10 rebounds. Watching him use those footwork moves in the post is like watching a lost art form. He’s a senior. He knows this is his last shot.
The Support Cast is Long and Scary
Coen Carr is still jumping out of the gym, but he’s actually developed a mid-range game. He’s averaging 11.3 points. Then you have Carson Cooper, the 6-foot-11 senior who just does the dirty work. He isn't flashy, but he’s scoring 10 a game and anchoring a defense that is currently ranked 13th in the country in points allowed.
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The rotation is deep. You’ve got:
- Kur Teng: The sophomore guard who can light it up from three.
- Cam Ward: A freshman forward with a massive ceiling.
- Jordan Scott: Another freshman who provides length on the wing.
It’s a mix of grizzled seniors who have been through the Big Ten wars and young, twitchy athletes who can run the floor. It’s the most balanced Izzo roster in a long time.
Why 2026 Feels Like a Turning Point
It isn't just about the wins right now. It’s about the future. Tom Izzo is 70 years old. People have been asking about retirement for a decade. But if you watch him on the sidelines—yelling at refs, jumping in huddles, coaching his heart out—he looks younger than he did five years ago.
He just signed a contract amendment in December 2025. The school basically said he’s a "Spartan for Life."
And then there's the recruiting. The 2026 class is currently ranked in the top 3 nationally. We’re talking about guys like Ethan Taylor, a 7-foot-1 center who is the No. 2 ranked big man in the country. He’s already signed. Along with him, you’ve got Jasiah Jervis from New York and Carlos Medlock Jr., an in-state legacy kid.
Most coaches at 70 are looking for a beach house. Izzo is out here out-recruiting the blue bloods.
The Identity of Michigan State Basketball
What most people get wrong about this team is thinking they’re still just a "bruiser" squad. Sure, they still lead the Big Ten in rebounding margin most nights. But this 2025-26 team is 11th in the country in assists. They move the ball. They play fast.
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They’ve also embraced the modern reality of the Big Ten. With Washington, Oregon, USC, and UCLA in the mix, the travel is grueling. The Spartans are about to head to Seattle to play Washington, then they’ve got Oregon at home. It’s a different world. But the defensive identity remains. They’re holding opponents to 38% shooting from the field. That’s elite.
Real Talk: Can They Win it All?
Look, 27 straight NCAA Tournament appearances is a record that might never be broken. But at Michigan State, the "Streak" isn't the goal. The goal is the second Monday in April.
The limitations? Sometimes the half-court offense gets stagnant if Fears isn't creating. They don't have that one "lottery pick" wing player who can just bail them out with a contested 25-footer every time. They have to play as a unit. If one or two guys have an off night, they can be vulnerable, like we saw in that 58-56 loss to Nebraska.
But when they’re clicking? They beat North Carolina by 16. They beat Kentucky by 17. This team has a higher ceiling than the 2024 or 2025 squads.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Road Trip: The upcoming West Coast swing will define their seed. If they can sweep Washington and Oregon, expect them to jump into the Top 5.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 Signees: The hype for Ethan Taylor is real. He’s the type of rim protector Izzo hasn't had since Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Jeremy Fears' Health: He’s playing heavy minutes. His backup, Divine Ugochukwu, is solid, but if Fears needs a breather, the offense tends to dip. Watch how Izzo manages his fatigue in February.
Michigan State basketball is in a fascinating spot. It’s a program that refused to change its soul while the world around it went crazy with the portal and NIL. And somehow, in 2026, that "old school" stability has made them one of the most modern-looking contenders in the country.
Stay tuned to the defensive rotations and the turnover margin. If they keep those numbers where they are, the Breslin Center is going to be a very loud place come March.