As a freshman, you never quite know what to expect. MSU football may have finished near the bottom of the conference last year, but a rebound is always possible. The women’s basketball team reached the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament, and another offseason could push them even further. A lot can change between seasons, and there’s plenty to be excited about heading into 2025-26.

Football

Football remains the biggest question in MSU Athletics. Will the team rise under the pressure of last year’s rebuild or settle for another average record? That answer will begin to take shape in the opening weeks of head coach Jonathan Smith’s second season.

Until then, there are several positives heading into the first Friday Night Lights kickoff at Spartan Stadium. The team is young. Incoming junior quarterback Aiden Chiles, who transferred from Oregon State with Smith, is expected to be the starter for seasons to come.

Chiles has had time to acclimate to his new environment and grow into a more consistent player. Sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh, another young standout, has also shown growth, settling into the college game after a solid first season.

MSU ranked 21st nationally in On3’s transfer class rankings, adding key defensive players to help balance the roster. Last season’s story was inconsistency. While senior safety Malik Spencer and junior linebacker Jordan Hall are major returners, they can’t shoulder the defensive load alone.

There’s promise. MSU finished 5-7 last season, narrowly missing a bowl game. But with strong recruiting, key returners and smart use of the portal, expectations are higher in 2025.

Men’s basketball

Of the 16-man roster from the 2024-25 season, only nine players return. While head coach Tom Izzo has reloaded with strong recruiting, it’s hard to replicate the grit and chemistry of last year’s team, which consistently found ways to win.

Jase Richardson, Jaden Akins, Tre Holloman and five others departed through the transfer portal, NBA Draft or graduation. That left multiple holes, especially in the starting lineup. Izzo responded by bringing in Trey Fort (Samford), Divine Ugochukwu (Miami), Denham Wojcik (Harvard) and Kaleb Glenn (Florida Atlantic), though Glenn is out for the season with an injury.

As always, Izzo’s freshman class shows promise. With Cam Ward from Maryland and Jordan Scott from Reston, Virginia, he’s rebuilding a roster that could compete like last season’s underdogs.

Last year’s team succeeded through depth. Bench players could step in like starters, and the Spartans found different ways to win — from defensive stands to buzzer beaters — on their way to a Big Ten regular season title.

An Izzo-coached team will almost certainly make the NCAA Tournament. The question is how far they can go. The foundation is there, but they’ll need to carry last year’s mentality into the new season.

Women’s basketball

Head coach Robin Fralick wasted no time building a contender at Michigan State. In just her first season, the Spartans reached the NCAA Tournament and earned their first tournament win in seven years, setting the stage for a promising future.

With USC and star JuJu Watkins joining the Big Ten, the road won’t get easier. But Fralick’s squad showed last season that it won’t back down. MSU leaned on its depth, forced turnovers and delivered strong second halves to power through close games.

This team is hungry. After tasting success, the Spartans are ready to build on it. Fralick and her staff filled roster gaps left by Julia Ayrault, Jocelyn Tate, Jaddan Simmons and Nyle Hampton with key transfers. A national title might be out of reach — but it’s not off the table.

Ice hockey

MSU may have missed out on projected No. 1 overall NHL Draft pick Gavin McKenna, who chose Penn State, but the 2025–26 Spartans still have the tools to compete with the best.

Nightingale and his staff have recruited aggressively, landing 2024 No. 4 overall pick Cayden Lindstrom, 2025 first-rounder Ryker Lee and key defensive additions through the transfer portal.

Challenges remain. With Penn State, Michigan and other Big Ten rivals landing elite talent from the CHL, and with NIL incentives increasing, the path to a national title grows more difficult.

MSU still has one roster spot remaining and will look to add depth at forward. With the most recent addition of Porter Martone, the No. 6 overall pick by the Philadelphia Flyers, MSU was sure to add more size to the roster in a strong power forward was great play making skills and an eye for the puck.

A third straight Big Ten regular season and tournament title won’t come easy. The three-peat is a tall task, but not out of reach — though the road will be tougher than ever.

Gymnastics

For the first time since 1988, MSU women’s gymnastics reached the NCAA Championships as the No. 8 overall seed. Though the team fell in the semifinals, it made history — and set the tone for future success.

Big Ten expansion has raised the bar in sports like football, baseball and gymnastics. Case in point: MSU will host Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and the UCLA Bruins at Jenison Field House this season.

Senior leadership will be key this season. Nikki Smith, Sage Kellerman and Olivia Zsarmani return as strong all-around competitors, and a six-member freshman class adds depth and talent to an already stacked roster.

MSU finished second at the Big Ten meet and fourth in its NCAA semifinal. With strong returners and new talent, the team has a real shot to finish what it started — and perhaps get revenge against UCLA in the process.

It might not all be sunshine and smooth sailing, but there’s plenty to be excited about. Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, the 2025–26 school year promises storylines worth watching. From possible bowl games to NCAA Tournament runs and redemption arcs, Spartan athletics are gearing up for a thrilling ride.

The heart of MSU is in its students — showing up, getting loud and being part of something bigger. With so many teams on the rise, there’s never been a better time to wear green and white and get involved. This school year, don’t just watch the action. Be part of it.