A new updated preseason poll from CBS Sports has the Spartans just outside of the top five for next year’s college basketball season.
CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish has released an updated batch of preseason rankings, with Michigan State landing in the top 10 but not in the top five. The Spartans came in at No. 7 in Parrish’s updated poll. Michigan State fell behind only the following teams: Florida (No. 1), Duke (No. 2), Illinois (No. 3), UConn (No. 4), Texas (No. 5) and Arizona (No. 6).
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Here’s what Parrish had to say about the Spartans:
“This ranking is based on the Spartans returning five of the top eight scorers — specifically Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Kur Teng, Jordan Scott and Cam Ward — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke and four-star prospects Ethan Taylor, Carlos Medlock Jr., Julius Avent and Jasiah Jervis.”
Michigan State has widely been considered a preseason top 10 team for next year, with some having them in their top five too. So this ranking from Parrish is right in line with the common theory on Michigan State. It’ll be interesting to see where exactly Michigan State lands when the preseason polls come out later this fall, but we at least can expect them to be in the top 10 nationally going into the season.
Click on the post below to see the complete updated preseason poll from Parrish:
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Mar 19, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) takes a shot during the second half against the North Dakota State Bison during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
(Mark Konezny, Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Mar 19, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) takes a shot during the second half against the North Dakota State Bison during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
(Mark Konezny, Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Coen Carr dunks against San Jose State during the first half on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jordan Scott shoots against San Jose State during the second half on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. looks at Colgate’s bench after his steal and score during the first half on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jordan Scott celebrates after Carson Cooper’s score against Northwestern during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Popular podcast discusses MSU hoops as ‘legit’ national title contender
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 13: Jeremy Fears Jr. #1 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles up court during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on February 13, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
(John Fisher, Getty Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Coen Carr, right, shoots UCLA’s Xavier Booker defends during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Izzo provides update on who “should be” starting at PF for MSU this season
Michigan State’s Cam Ward celebrates after a score and a Northwestern foul during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Spartans move up in latest preseason poll from prominent national analyst
Michigan State’s Coen Carr dunks against Northwestern during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Spartans ahead of Wolverines in new Big Ten power rankings
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – MARCH 08: Jeremy Fears Jr. #1 of the Michigan State Spartans calls out a play in the first half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on March 08, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Nov 18, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) shoots the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 13: Kur Teng #2 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots over Skyy Clark #55 of the UCLA Bruins during the first half in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Coen Carr dunks against Iowa during the first half on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 13: Jordan Scott #6 and Jeremy Fears Jr. #1 of the Michigan State Spartans high five against the UCLA Bruins during the first half in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State forward Coen Carr (55) makes a layup against Bowling Green forward Wilguens Jr. Exacte (7) during the second half at Breslin Center in East Lansing on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – FEBRUARY 04: Jordan Scott #6 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Isaac Asuma #1 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half at Williams Arena on February 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(David Berding, Getty Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Cam Ward dunks against Maryland during the second half on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Cam Ward, right, celebrates with teammates Divine Ugochukwu, left, and Carson Cooper after a play against Bowling Green during the first half on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Nov 18, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Kur Teng (2) shoots the ball as Kentucky Wildcats guard Kam Williams (3) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Kur Teng, right, moves the ball as Duke’s Cameron Boozer defends during the second half on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Dec 13, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Jesse McCulloch (35) shoots the ball during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Kur Teng makes a 3-pointer as Toledo’s Jaylan Ouwinga defends during the first half on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jesse McCulloch grabs a rebound against Toledo during the first half on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jesse McCulloch celebrates after drawing a Michigan foul during the first half on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Projected Michigan State starter cleared for basketball activities
Mar 18, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Kaleb Glenn (8) dunks the ball during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
(Gregory Fisher, Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Mar 18, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Kaleb Glenn (8) shoots the ball during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
(Gregory Fisher, Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Jan 27, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) reacts during overtime against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Coen Carr dunks against Cornell during the first half on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jordan Scott celebrates after a 3-pointer against Duke during the second half on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Cam Ward, right, is fouled by Colgate’s Ayomi Odetoyinbo during the second half on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Oct 28, 2025; Hartford, CT, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Cam Ward (3) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Connecticut Huskies at PeoplesBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
(Mark Smith, Mark Smith-Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Jan 27, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Kur Teng (2) dribbles up court against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
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Jeremy Fears Jr. flashes athleticism in new viral clip
Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr., center, jaws with Michigan’s Tre Donaldson, right, after Fears hit a ball off Donaldson and out of bounds during the first half on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. moves the ball against Illinois during the first half on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jesse McCulloch, right, pressures Michigan’s Aday Mara during the first half on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s coach Tom Izzo, left, jokes with injured transfer Kaleb Glenn during the first day of basketball practice on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU basketball listed outside top five in latest CBS Sports preseason poll
