MSU 4th, U-M 6th in Big Ten Basketball Rankings

Michigan State (head coach Tom Izzo and sophomore guard Mark "Rocket" Watts pictured) is picked 4th, while Michigan is rated 6th in the Big Ten preseason men's basketball rankings.  Those were released on Tuesday by the media who cover Big Ten basketball.

The Spartans shared the Big Ten regular-season title last season with Maryland and Wisconsin.  Michigan finished 9th with a 10-10 conference record.

Illinois and Iowa were the top two teams picked by the media to lead the Big Ten with Wisconsin in third.

The Spartans are ranked 13th in the first Associated Press media poll, with Michigan ranked 25th.  Five other Big Ten teams are ranked in the preseason poll.