Michigan State men's basketball is entering the season with high expectations, and those are reflected in both the preseason AP Poll and preseason USA Today Coaches Poll released Monday. The Spartans will enter the season ranked No. 4 in the country in both, even receiving one first-place vote in the AP results.

The number four pick is MSU's highest ranking in the AP Poll since December 2020 and marks the 11th time a Tom Izzo led team enters the season in the AP top-five. It is also the second time an Izzo squad enters the season at No. 4 in the AP, the only other being the 2005-2006 squad. Overall, it is the 21st time Izzo's team enters a season ranked in the preseason AP Poll and the 26th time for the program.

The Spartans are one of just three Big Ten teams ranked in the preseason AP Poll, trailing No. 3 Purdue and ahead of No. 25 Illinois. Only Purdue (No. 2) and MSU are ranked in the coaches.

Kansas was the preseason No. 1 favorite, gathering 46 first-place votes, while Duke earned the No. 2 spot and garnered 11 first-place votes. The Boilermakers earned three first-place votes, while Marquette earned the No. 5 ranking, but UConn at No. 6 earned two first-place votes.

Bill Self's team enters the season for the third time under his leadership as the nation's top ranked team, but the first since 2018-2019. Duke enters season number two under Jon Scheyer while Purdue returns AP player of the year Zach Edey looking to avenge a first round loss as the No. 1 seed in its region last year.

The Golden Eagles return third-team All-American Tyler Kolek and earn the program's highest ranking in the poll since a No. 3 spot in March 1978. MSU knocked Marquette out of the NCAA Tournament in the second round.

The Spartans, meanwhile, return most of its production from a team that earned a Sweet 16 appearance in last year's NCAA Tournament before falling to Kansas State in overtime. The backcourt trio of Tyson Walker, A.J. Hoggard, and Jaden Akins has many fans excited for the team as it is joined by the No. 4 ranked class in the country.

MSU will face off against No. 2 Duke, No. 20 Baylor, and No. 12 Arizona in the non-conference schedule along with a preseason charity scrimmage against No. 9 Tennessee.

The Spartans begin their season on Nov. 6 when James Madison visits East Lansing.

1. Kansas (46)
2. Duke (11)
3. Purdue (3)
4. Michigan State (1)
5. Marquette
6. Connecticut (2)
7. Houston
8. Creighton
9. Tennessee
10. FAU
11. Gonzaga
12. Arizona
12. Miami (FL)
14. Arkansas
15. Texas A&M
16. Kentucky
17. San Diego State
18. Texas
19. North Carolina
20. Baylor
21. USC
22. Villanova
23. Saint Mary's
24. Alabama
25. Illinois

Others receiving votes: Wisconsin 53, Colorado 49, UCLA 47, St. John's 47, Maryland 34, Virginia 27, Auburn 27, TCU 24, Mississippi State 20, Kansas State 13, Xavier 8, Memphis 7, Missouri 6, Boise State 4, Indiana 3, Florida 2, College of Charleston 2, New Mexico 1, Drake 1.

1. Kansas (23 first-place votes)
2. Purdue (5)
3. Duke (3)
4. Michigan State
5. UConn (1)
6. Houston
7. Marquette
8. Creighton
9. FAU
10. Tennessee
11. Arizona
12. Gonzaga
13. Miami (FL)
14. Arkansas
15. San Diego State
16. Kentucky
17. Baylor
18. Texas
19. Texas A&M
20. Villanova
21. North Carolina
22. USC
23. Saint Mary's
24. Alabama
25. UCLA

Others receiving votes: Illinois 45; Wisconsin 43; Maryland 29; TCU 26; Colorado 21; Xavier 17; Ohio State 16; Virginia 13; St. John's 13; Kansas State 8; Indiana 7; Washington 5; Florida 5; Auburn 5; Missouri 4; Oregon 3; Memphis 3; Mississippi State 2; Iowa State 2; Yale 1; Boise State 1

*Big Ten teams in bold, future expansion teams in italics

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