🟢 Season Recap & National Standing
Michigan State completed the 2024–25 regular season with a solid 22–10 overall record and an 11–7 mark in Big Ten play, placing them in a three‑way tie for fifth in the conference . Under second-year head coach Robyn Fralick, the Spartans earned an at‑large NCAA Tournament bid as a 7‑seed in the Spokane region of the bracket .
In the NCAA Tournament, MSU achieved a first-round victory over Harvard before falling to No. 2 seed NC State in the second round .
Despite these accomplishments, MSU did not make the final Associated Press Top 25. In the final AP Poll released April 7, Michigan State was not among the ranked teams, though Michigan (their in‑state rival) held the No. 25 spot, earning 37 points and moving up from the previous week . MSU received just 16 votes—placing them among the “Others receiving votes” but clearly outside the Top 25 .
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đź“Š Poll Trajectory Throughout the Season
According to the AP Poll archive, MSU had a season of ups and downs:
They started the season unranked, first receiving “Others receiving votes” status (RV) with 16 points before climbing gradually .
MSU cracked the Top 25 for the first time on December 2, entering at No. 24 after an unbeaten start through eight games .
They peaked at No. 15 on December 16 (10–0 start), reaching a career‑high ranking .
After conference play began, the team fluctuated, dropping as low as No. 24 and falling out of rankings by March 10 and again after March 17 .
This roller‑coaster reflects how strong non‑conference form propelled them temporarily into the polls, while tougher Big Ten matchups nudged them out as the season progressed.
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đź’ˇ Why They Missed the Final 25
Three major factors led to MSU missing the final AP Top 25:
1. Powerful opponent imbalance: The Big Ten boasted strong teams like Maryland, Ohio State, Michigan, and Indiana—all listed in the final poll—making upward movement difficult .
2. Tournament performance: A second‑round exit in both the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments limited national exposure and momentum.
3. Competitive final ballot: The final AP rankings featured teams like Michigan, West Virginia, SDSU, and Oklahoma State in the 21–25 range, leaving limited space for MSU .
Still, earning votes signifies national attention—even without a Top 25 finish.
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🎯 Looking Ahead
Consistency will be key next season: sustaining high-level performance throughout Big Ten play could translate into a stable Top 25 presence.
Tournament advancement: Breaking beyond the second round in March would provide a boost in national perception.
Recruiting & development: Building on Robyn Fralick’s recruiting foundation could bring the talent needed to push into returning-final‑poll status.
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đź“ť Summary
In conclusion, Michigan State finished the 2024–25 season as “Others receiving votes” in the final AP Poll (16 points), not within the official Top 25. Their season featured:
Achievement Detail
AP presence Peaked at No. 15 mid‑December
Final poll status Unranked, with 16 votes
NCAA outcome First‑round win, second‑round exit
Final record 22–10 overall; 11–7 Big Ten
MSU’s journey reflects both promise and the challenge of maintaining national relevance in a deep Big Ten and NCAA landscape. With continued growth, they’re poised to chase a return to Top 25 rankings next season under Coach Fralick.
