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Michigan State Basketball: Preview of Spartans 2019-20 season

By Ryan Kay

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Xavier Tillman #23 and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 77-70 during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Xavier Tillman #23 and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 77-70 during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Gabe Brown #13 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Marlon Taylor #14 of the LSU Tigers during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Gabe Brown #13 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Marlon Taylor #14 of the LSU Tigers during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Schedule Breakdown

Head coach Tom Izzo has once again compiled a very difficult non-conference schedule for his Spartans. Michigan State will begin their season playing multiple “blue blood” teams as well as various power 5 conference opponents. Izzo’s philosophy in terms of scheduling has for the most part been to play tough opponents early in preparation for Big Ten play. Even though Michigan State will be without Ward, Goins, and McQuaid this season, the Spartans arguably will be a better more polished, experienced, and talented team this season.

Michigan State will play various games on neutral courts in New York and Hawaii in non-conference play as well as a true road game at Seton Hall. The Spartans also play tough competition at home as well before Big Ten play begins as they host Duke for example. Michigan State looks to win those challenging early non-conference games as a building block towards winning a national championship by season’s end. The goal is to at least win the vast majority of their non-conference games, win the Big Ten regular-season title, and win the Big Ten conference tournament to earn a #1 seed for the NCAA tournament.

Michigan State’s top non-conference match-ups

Kentucky (Nov. 5) neutral court (New York)
Seton Hall (Nov. 14) away
Maui Invitational (Nov. 25-27) Virginia Tech, then Dayton/Georgia (Hawaii) bracket
Duke (Dec. 3) home
Oakland (Dec. 14) neutral court (Detroit)
The Big Ten schedule will be difficult for the Spartans to navigate through as Michigan State travels to Michigan, Purdue, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Penn State, and Maryland. The Spartans have Home and Away’s with the Gophers, Wildcats, Fighting Illini, Wolverines, Terrapins, and Badgers. Michigan State does not have to travel and play difficult road games at Iowa, Ohio State, and Rutgers in Big Ten play this season.

Michigan State’s Big Ten conference schedule

Home Only: Iowa, Ohio State, and Rutgers
Away Only: Nebraska, Indiana, and Purdue
Both Home/Away: Penn State, Maryland, Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Illinois

This is a tough schedule overall and possibly the most difficult in the nation but it should get them battle-tested for another Final Four run in hopes of winning a national championship in 2020. Unlike last season, Michigan State should have more depth and athleticism this year with a stellar senior group who will be better equipped to handle Kentucky, Duke, and possibly Kansas and more in non-conference play.

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