Neitzel started his college basketball career in 2004-05. He appeared in 33 games, starting 14 of the final 15 contests. Ranked second on the team with 97 assists (2.9 per game) and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.06-to-1, he led all Big Ten freshmen in assists and led the Michigan State Spartans in assists in seven games. He was also named to the Big Ten All-Freshmen Team. He was a key part of a Spartan team that reached the Final Four, losing to eventual champion North Carolina.