Tom Izzo is counting on familiar leaders and a deeper bench to help No. 6 Michigan State make another postseason run.
The Spartans host Quinnipiac in both teams’ season opener on Nov. 2 in East Lansing, Mich.
Entering his 32nd season as head coach of the Spartans, Izzo believes he has 10 or 11 players capable of contributing to a team that finished 27-8 last season, went 15-5 in the Big Ten and reached the Sweet 16.
Point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. and forward Coen Carr return to lead the Spartans, who must replace starting big men Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper.
“I am going to throw a lot of people at a lot of guys,” Izzo said. “I think I have a team that could be really, really versatile. I could play really small, or really big.”
Fears, a first-team All-Big Ten selection who earned five All-America honors last season, averaged 15.2 points and a nation-leading 9.4 assists. Izzo said he improved his shooting during the offseason and wants him to become an elite defender.
Carr averaged 12.0 points and 5.4 rebounds. Izzo said the forward made strides handling the ball, passing and attacking the basket, giving Michigan State more ways to use him offensively.
Jordan Scott, who started the final 13 games last season, and guard Kur Teng provide additional experience. Izzo praised Scott’s offseason gains in strength and confidence and said a healthy Teng could be the team’s best shooter.
The experience on the perimeter gives Michigan State some stability, but its play at center remains a concern.
“Yeah, we’re a work in-progress at the center position,” Izzo said. “But I think we’ve got to do some different things coaching-wise for it, too. And a few things different offensively that would help them.”
The Spartans are looking for more from a group that includes Jesse McCulloch, 7-foot-2 freshman Ethan Taylor and Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke.
McCulloch earned Izzo’s praise for his offseason improvement, while Taylor impressed the coach with his mobility and hands. Bonke, also 7-2, averaged 10.6 points and 8.3 rebounds at Charlotte last season but struggled in an exhibition game against UConn.
Quinnipiac, meanwhile, is rebuilding after four starters transferred. However, guard Asim Jones is ready to compete after gaining approval for another year of eligibility. Jones averaged 12.5 points and led the Bobcats with 126 assists last season.
Coach Tom Pecora, who led Quinnipiac to regular-season conference titles in 2024 and 2025, has eight newcomers to blend into a team coming off a 19-13 season.
Keith McKnight gives the Bobcats a proven contributor. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds as their top reserve last season, shooting 54.6% from the field.
“He is as good an athlete as I have been around, a gazelle or a thoroughbred who gets up and down the floor incredibly quick and finishes at a very high level,” Pecora said.
McKnight stayed at Quinnipiac despite opportunities to leave, Pecora said, giving the Bobcats a returning player to build around alongside guard Tai Turnage.
Quinnipiac also added guard Tayeshawn Cunningham-Pemberton, who averaged 14 points and 4.4 rebounds at Division II Assumption.
For Pecora, the early challenge is getting his newcomers comfortable playing together.
“I think the pieces are there, but I think with eight new bodies it is going to take some time for it to come together,” Pecora said.
