Future Spartans Ready to Dominate
CJ Medlock, a Detroit guard in the 2026 high-school class, has rocketed from a top-80 ranking to No. 45 nationally after transferring from Wayne High to elite prep program Link Academy. Facing premier competition weekly, Medlock helped the Lions to a 25-3 record and top seed at the EYBL Scholastic. He and fellow MSU commit Ethan Taylor have already begun forging on-court chemistry, promising a seamless transition to East Lansing. Medlock praises the diverse strengths of Michigan State’s 2026 class—guards, wings, and a center all capable of shooting—and envisions himself as both a vocal leader and defensive pest who alleviates pressure on star point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. With his unselfish play and relentless work ethic, Medlock aims to fit right into Tom Izzo’s culture and make an immediate impact for the Spartans.
Finally, a recruit who understands that waking up before dawn for biceps curls is actually part of the charm of college basketball—take that, sleep-in generation! CJ Medlock’s ascent from Detroit courts to Link Academy’s gym feels like a rom-com meets sports biopic: underdog finds elite training, bonds with future teammates, and bypasses the awkward first-semester roommate drama by already knowing Ethan Taylor’s quirks. And let’s be honest, Tom Izzo must be twitching with glee at the thought of another Mic’d-Up leadership hound who considers “defensive pest” a job title. Spartan fans, prepare to see Medlock hustle like he’s late for his first class at midnight, because nothing says “Michigan State readiness” like draining threes and pestering opponents while everyone else is still hitting snooze.
Spartans Stand Tall at No. 8
Michigan State closed the regular season at 25-6 (15-5 Big Ten), surviving a last-ditch Rutgers rally before falling 90-80 at No. 3 Michigan. Holding firm at No. 8 in the latest AP Poll—just shy of their season-high No. 7—the Spartans now eye the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago as the No. 3 seed. Their robust résumé, bolstered by Quad 1 wins over Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Illinois, and Purdue, plus a top-10 WAB ranking of 7.95, has the NCAA selection committee’s ear. A strong performance in Chicago could secure a No. 2 seed for MSU, while an early exit risks dropping them to a 3. Either way, UCLA awaits as a potential opener, offering another high-profile opportunity to impress.
Ah yes, the thrill of basketball by numbers: winning against top teams, avoiding “bad” losses, and counting WAB like it’s a secret formula for Spartan alchemy. We’re all secretly hoping Izzo has packed his lucky socks and a crystal ball to divine which Quad 1 universe he’s operating in. Will MSU conquer Chicago and ascend to a No. 2 seed, or will they treat the Big Ten Tourney like a leisurely layover before March Madness? Either outcome gives us fodder for the next round of analytics gurus to declare, “See? We told you so.” In the end, it’s comforting to know that college hoops has evolved into an elaborate game of bracket Jenga, where one slip-up and all those rigorously tallied “quality wins” tumble into sporting oblivion—cue the tension, cue the chaos, and cue every stat nerd dreaming of chaos theory applied to basketball.
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