Michigan State Basketball 2026: March Madness Run, Recruiting Class & Future Outlook

The 2025-26 season has been a memorable one for Michigan State basketball. Under the legendary leadership of Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo, the Spartans have once again proven why they remain a perennial powerhouse in college basketball. With a dominant NCAA Tournament opening win, a promising 2026 recruiting class, and the program’s 28th consecutive tournament appearance under Izzo, there is plenty to discuss for Spartans fans.

Here is everything you need to know about Michigan State basketball as March Madness continues.

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March Madness 2026: Spartans Roll in First Round

The No. 3 seed Spartans (26-7) opened their NCAA Tournament run in emphatic fashion, dismantling No. 14 North Dakota State 92-67 on Thursday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York . The victory marked Michigan State’s 22nd trip to the second round in Izzo’s 28 consecutive tournament appearances .

Carson Cooper Leads the Charge

Center Carson Cooper delivered a career-defining performance, matching his personal best with 20 points while grabbing 10 rebounds for a double-double . Cooper was a force in the paint, helping the Spartans dominate the interior with 44 points in the paint and eight dunks .

Bench Sparks the Blowout

While leading scorer Jeremy Fears Jr. managed only seven points, he dished out 11 assists—surpassing his nation-leading season average of 9.2 . But the story of the night was Michigan State’s bench production.

The Spartans received 30 points from their reserves, a testament to the program’s depth . Key contributions included:

• Coen Carr: 17 points, providing high-energy minutes

• Cam Ward: 13 points in his NCAA Tournament debut, knocking down all six field goal attempts

• Trey Fort: A spark off the bench with a four-point play and active defense after his role had diminished during the season

The Spartans shot 59% from the field overall and connected on 10 of 20 three-point attempts, while holding the Bison to just 6-for-25 from long range .

‘Memory-Making Moments’

After the game, players reflected on the significance of the tournament experience—something Izzo consistently emphasizes.

“You really can’t take these tournaments for granted. For us to play in four of them back to back to back to back … it’s a blessing,” Cooper told reporters .

Jaxon Kohler added: “Every minute — whether it’s on the court or off the court — I’m making memories with teammates and enjoying the feeling and letting it kind of soak in” .

Fears summed up the tournament atmosphere: “This is the best time of the year. You can wake up to basketball, you can go to sleep to basketball. This is really what you dream of” .

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Second Round: Spartans vs. Louisville

Michigan State advances to face No. 6 seed Louisville (24-10) in the second round of the East Region on Saturday, March 21 . The Cardinals held off South Florida 83-79 in their first-round matchup to set up the showdown.

Game Details:

• Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026

• Time: Approximately 2:45 p.m. ET (following the Michigan vs. Saint Louis/Georgia game)

• Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York

• TV: CBS

This marks the fifth NCAA Tournament meeting between Michigan State and Louisville, and the first since 2015, when the Spartans defeated the Cardinals in overtime to reach the Final Four . The history between these programs adds another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a thrilling second-round contest.

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Tom Izzo’s Unprecedented Tournament Streak

With this year’s appearance, Coach Tom Izzo has now led Michigan State to 28 consecutive NCAA Tournaments—the longest active streak in college basketball and a testament to the program’s sustained excellence .

Izzo’s ability to reload rather than rebuild has become the standard in East Lansing. Under his leadership, the Spartans have reached the Final Four eight times, including the 2000 national championship victory. At 71 years old, Izzo continues to coach with the same intensity and passion that has defined his career.

His postgame comments after the North Dakota State win reflected his appreciation for this year’s team: “I thought he played electric tonight,” Izzo said of freshman Cam Ward’s performance . And when discussing Trey Fort’s contributions off the bench despite a diminished role, Izzo praised the senior’s character: “What it says to me is hell of a character kid” .

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The Future: Michigan State Basketball Recruiting 2026

While the current team focuses on March Madness, the future of Michigan State basketball looks incredibly bright. The Spartans have assembled an impressive 2026 recruiting class that addresses multiple positions .

2026 Basketball Signees

The Spartans have signed three four-star prospects during the early signing period, with more expected to join :

Scouting Reports

Jasiah Jervis (Shooting Guard): At 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan, Jervis is described as “a shot-maker and scorer with an increasingly versatile attack.” He excels as a movement shooter off screens and has a developing pull-up game. Scouts praise his athleticism and functional strength, though he’s still growing as a primary ball-handler .

Carlos Medlock Jr. (Point Guard): An in-state product from Wayne Memorial who transferred to Link Academy, Medlock is “extremely talented and creative with the ball.” He has total command of his handle and can break down defenders at will. While he averaged nearly 21 points per game in AAU play, the biggest adjustment at the college level will be adapting to a system with less offensive volume .

Julius Avent (Power Forward): A physically imposing 6-foot-7 forward with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Avent brings an inside-out skill set. He’s a consistent spot-up three-point shooter (38% on unguarded catch-and-shoot attempts) and an excellent offensive rebounder. Scouts note his physicality but have some concerns about lateral quickness defensively .

On the Radar

All eyes are also on five-star center Ethan Taylor, a teammate of Medlock’s at Link Academy, who is expected to announce his commitment soon. Taylor will choose between Michigan State, Kansas, and Oregon, with sources indicating the Spartans are in favorable position .

Currently, Rivals ranks Michigan State’s 2026 class 39th nationally and 11th in the Big Ten—an improvement from the 47th-ranked 2025 class . With potential additions like Taylor, that ranking could climb significantly.

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Key Returners for 2026-27

Looking ahead to next season, the Spartans will return several key contributors from this year’s tournament team:

• Jeremy Fears Jr. — The nation’s leader in assists (9.2 per game) will be the centerpiece of the offense

• Carson Cooper — Coming off a career performance in the tournament opener

• Jaxon Kohler — A reliable presence in the frontcourt

• Coen Carr — Explosive wing who provides energy and scoring

With the addition of the talented 2026 recruiting class, Izzo will have the pieces to keep the Spartans among the Big Ten and national contenders.

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Season Recap: A Year of Consistency

Michigan State enters the Louisville game with a 26-7 overall record, finishing 11-8 in Big Ten play during the regular season . The Spartans rank fourth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 82.5 points per game, and shoot 47.8% from the field .

The team has shown resilience throughout the season, overcoming challenges while maintaining the defensive intensity and unselfish ball movement that are hallmarks of Izzo’s system. The 26 team assists in the NCAA Tournament opener set a program record for an NCAA Tournament game .

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What’s Next for Michigan State Basketball

The immediate focus is Saturday’s second-round matchup against Louisville. A win would send the Spartans to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2023 and keep alive hopes of a deep tournament run.

Beyond March, the future looks bright. With a strong returning core and an influx of four-star talent, Michigan State basketball appears poised to extend its streak of NCAA Tournament appearances well into the next decade.

For now, Spartans fans can enjoy what they’ve come to expect under Tom Izzo: March basketball, memory-making moments, and a program that consistently competes on the national stage.

Go Green. Go White.

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Quick Facts: Michigan State Basketball 2026