Which Michigan State basketball players can return to the roster next season after the March Madness exit?
The 3-seed Spartans saw their season come to an end Friday, March 27, in the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, losing to 2-seed UConn, 67-63 in Washington.
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MSU has five players out of eligibility, including frontcourt starters Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler. But second-team All-American point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. and a plethora of wings and guards should return for 2026-27.
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Michigan State basketball tips off with UConn in Sweet 16 in D.C.
Michigan State fans arrive at one of the entrances for the second game of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional versus Connecticut at Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Michigan State basketball tips off with UConn in Sweet 16 in D.C.
Michigan State fans arrive at one of the entrances for the second game of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional versus Connecticut at Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Michigan State basketball tips off with UConn in Sweet 16 in D.C.
College basketball fans watch the Duke versus St. John’s game on one of several TV’s at Clyde’s Alley Bar next door to the Capital One Arena in Washington DC where the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional is being played on Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Michigan State basketball tips off with UConn in Sweet 16 in D.C.
Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. arrives off the team bus with his Michigan State teammates at 8 pm for their 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional game against UConn at Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Michigan State basketball tips off with UConn in Sweet 16 in D.C.
Michigan State forward Cameron Ward arrives off the team bus with his teammates at 8 pm for their 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional game against UConn at Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Michigan State basketball tips off with UConn in Sweet 16 in D.C.
Former Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio walks ahead of the Michigan State basketball team for their 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional game against UConn at Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Michigan State basketball tips off with UConn in Sweet 16 in D.C.
Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler arrives off the team bus with his Michigan State teammates at 8 pm for their 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional game against UConn at Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Michigan State basketball tips off with UConn in Sweet 16 in D.C.
Michigan State center Carson Cooper arrives off the team bus with his Michigan State teammates at 8 pm for their 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional game against UConn at Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Michigan State basketball tips off with UConn in Sweet 16 in D.C.
Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo arrives off the team bus at 8 pm for their 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional game against UConn at Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Michigan State basketball tips off with UConn in Sweet 16 in D.C.
Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo arrives off the team bus at 8 pm for their 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional game against UConn at Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The Spartans have a four-man 2026 recruiting class that is ranked among the nation’s best.
Here’s an early look at MSU’s projected roster entering the 2026-27 season, the 32nd under head coach Tom Izzo.
Michigan State basketball roster for 2026-27 seasonOut of eligibilityMichigan State basketball players eligible to return
Listed eligibility as of 2026-27 academic school year
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PG Jeremy Fears Jr., redshirt junior
SG Divine Ugochukwu, junior
F Kaleb Glenn, redshirt junior
G Gehrig Normand, redshirt junior
F Jordan Scott, sophomore
F Jesse McCulloch, redshirt sophomore
F Colin Walton, redshirt sophomore
F Brennan Walton, redshirt sophomore
Michigan State basketball recruiting class 2026
MSU has four incoming players signed for the class of 2026, ranked No. 2 in the nation on the 247 Sports’ composite rankings, including former Wayne Memorial standout Carlos Medlock Jr.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MSU basketball roster 2026-27: Early look at next season’s team