In the 2024-25 NCAA basketball season, Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans have once again proven their supremacy in the Big Ten, overshadowing rival institutions’ tremendous strides under new leadership. Izzo, in his 30th year as head coach, guided the Spartans to a 30-7 overall record and a 17-3 conference record, securing the Big Ten regular-season championship. Notably, Izzo surpassed Bob Knight to become the all-time leader in Big Ten conference wins with 354 and tied the record for most Big Ten regular-season championships with 11 .
While Michigan State’s accomplishments are notable, the Michigan Wolverines, under by first-year head coach Dusty May, organized a spectacular turnaround. After a disastrous 8-24 season, May led the Wolverines to a 27-10 record, winning the Big Ten tournament and reaching to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. This 19-win improvement marks the program’s largest single-season turnaround in history.
Strategic acquisitions through the transfer site aided May’s success, including star center Vladislav Goldin, who was named Big Ten Tournament MVP, and Yale transfer Danny Wolf. The Wolverines’ roster, bolstered by these signings, demonstrated a formidable combination of size and ability, which contributed to their long tournament run.
Looking ahead, May’s recruiting prowess is clear, with pledges from elite prospects such as five-star guard Trey McKenney, indicating a bright future for Michigan basketball.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s head coach, Micah Shrewsberry, has taken a “old-school” strategy, prioritizing high school recruiting over transfers. This tactic has paid off, as the Fighting Irish have the top-rated recruiting class for 2025, according to 247Sports. Shrewsberry’s emphasis on starting from scratch establishes Notre Dame as a program to watch in the coming seasons.