Michigan State basketball listed as one of 10 teams that can win it all

Outside of the Spartans, Shaw named Arizona, Arkansas, UConn, Duke, Houston, Kansas, Kentucky, Miami, and Purdue as the other teams that can win it all.

While I’m going out on a limb to disagree with a couple of these (looking at you, Purdue), I do believe this is a really good list and it also goes to show how difficult Michigan State’s schedule is going to be this year. The Spartans actually play 30 percent of the teams on this list — two of them in non-conference action. Michigan State will face Duke in the Champions Classic, Arizona on Thanksgiving weekend, and obviously Purdue in Big Ten play.

Facing three teams that could legitimately win it all this season will make Michigan State that much better. As we’ve all heard before “iron sharpens iron” and that’s going to be the case this season.

Izzo has assembled one of his best rosters since he’s been in East Lansing. The Spartans bring back all starters but Joey Hauser while also bringing in the No. 4 recruiting class in the country. For a team that went to the Sweet 16 last year and was good enough to be in the Final Four, that’s a wild amount of returning and incoming talent.

I’m curious to see if Michigan State can overtake Purdue in the Big Ten with Zach Edey back. My prediction is yes, but it’s going to be a competitive conference at the top.

This could be a special season.