Michigan State’s gut-wrenching Sweet 16 loss to the Connecticut Huskies in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament didn’t necessarily come as a complete surprise, as the Spartans’ biggest weaknesses were exposed at the worst possible time — ultimately costing them their season. To make matters worse, MSU's archrival, Michigan, now has a chance to win a national championship against that same UConn team.

A season filled with standout moments and significant growth may fade from memory quicker than it deserves. That’s often the reality in college basketball, where postseason results and ever-changing rosters tend to define the narrative.

Still, the way the season ended should ignite something deeper for head coach Tom Izzo. Even at age 71 — and despite being vocal about certain aspects he doesn't like about the landscape of college basketball in today's day and age — Izzo is as motivated as ever to capture his second national championship. His passion remains strong and he always has the interests of his players as his top priority. And this time, Izzo is expected to have a roster capable of matching that intensity — setting the stage for a 2026-2027 season with sky-high expectations.

Let's take a deeper look at what Michigan State's 2026-2027 roster is expected to look like.

Credit: Marvin Hall/Spartans Illustrated

Departures

Michigan State will say goodbye to some key contributors due to eligibility, including starting forward Jaxon Kohler and starting center Carson Cooper, along with guards Trey Fort, Denham Wojcik and Nick Sanders.

The most significant losses come in the front-court, where Kohler and Cooper anchored the Spartans all throughout the 2025-2026 season, and were four-year players under Izzo. Replacing two experienced, physical big men will be the program’s top priority this offseason. The most glaring hole is at the center spot.

Subscribe for more on departures, returners, the incoming freshman recruiting class and potential impactful decisions.