Michigan State Basketball: Preview of Spartans 2020-21 season
By Ryan Kay
Non-Conference Schedule Breakdown
Izzo and his program have once again compiled a very difficult non-conference schedule for this season. The Spartans will start their non-conference play going against three top-tier ACC opponents.
Even in a pandemic shorten year, Izzo’s philosophy still continues to be to play tough and talented well-recognized teams early in the season in preparation for the Big Ten competition. Even though Michigan State will be without Winston and Tillman this season, the Spartans hope to be a better more balanced, experienced, and defense-first-minded team this season.
Michigan State will not play any games on neutral courts in non-conference play due to many tournaments and multiple team events being canceled due to COVID 19 fears and concerns. However, the Spartans will play two very talented and accomplished teams as true road games in non-conference play.
Michigan State will also host various teams on their home court as well before Big Ten play begins as they will bring in Notre Dame from the ACC conference for example. The Spartans once again look to win those difficult early non-conference games as a building block towards winning another Big Ten regular-season title by season’s end.
The goal is to at least win five out of their seven non-conference games, win the Big Ten regular-season title, and win the Big Ten conference tournament to earn a high seed for the NCAA tournament in hopes of reaching at minimum the Sweet Sixteen.
Michigan State’s non-conference match-ups as of now
*Eastern Michigan (Nov. 25) home
Notre Dame (Nov. 28) home
Duke (Dec. 1) away as part of the Champions Classic
*Detroit (Dec. 4) home
Western Michigan (Dec. 6) home
Virginia (Dec. 9) away as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Oakland (Dec. 13) home
*Two games are yet to be publicly announced. More information about the non-conference play can be found here.
The Big Ten schedule has yet to be released at this time.