Gonzaga vs Michigan State: 2022 preview of Armed Forces Classic matchup

Gonzaga and Michigan State face off outside on an aircraft carrier for the Armed Forces Classic battle. Which team will come out with the victory?

Who: Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Michigan State Spartans

Where: USS Abraham Lincoln San Diego CA

When: Friday November 11th, 2022, 5:30 PM CST

TV: ESPN

That’s right a game on a boat, an aircraft carrier specifically. It will be the first time that hoops return to an aircraft carrier in 10 years. This year the Armed Forces Classic features two of the premier teams in the country. Michigan State has been a blue blood for a long time and the Gonzaga Bulldogs are one the country’s newest premier teams. The Bulldogs have established blue-blood status over the last 20 years. Heading into the game on Friday night the Bulldogs are 12-point favorites.

There are a lot of things that can happen in this game considering it is outside in the elements. There will be water, wind, and changing temperatures. Those are all things that players do not normally have to deal with when they are playing in their climate-controlled arenas. Will the weather affect shooting?  Will the floor take on water?  How will the drop in temperature during the game affect the players?  These are all things that we will soon get answers to. The team who adjusts to this the best is going to have a huge advantage.

The game is not going to be short on star talent either. The Bulldogs’ roster is loaded from top to bottom with top recruits and former mid-major stars. No one is more important to the success of the Bulldogs than big man Drew Timme. Gonzaga runs their offense through Timme, and the big man dominates touches in the paint for the Bulldogs and will be a factor for Gonzaga. Timme is either going to be great and provide the offense a jumpstart or he is going to struggle and keep Michigan State in the game.

The Spartans have a ton of experience on their roster. They have old guards and old frontcourt players. One of the matchups to watch is Timme against Malik Hall. Hall is one of the best defenders in the country and is going to get physical with Timme underneath the basket. Hall can score some points as well, especially from deep. If he can make some threes and pull the Bulldogs’ defense out of the paint it will make offense much easier for the Spartans and enable them to keep this game close.

Gonzaga is ranked number 2 in the country they have a loaded roster that has a ton of athletes, and they play the fastest pace in the country. Gonzaga ambushes team quickly and before you know it the game is out of hand. They have done it to numerous good power schools over the last handful of years as well. Do not get into a shoot-out or track meet with the Bulldogs that is exactly how they want you to play, and it usually ends in doom.

Gonzaga can score 100 points in their sleep. Michigan State needs to keep this game low scoring if they want any chance to win. They can run but they are not a team who is regularly going to score 80 plus every night. They are going to need to score 95 plus to beat Gonzaga in a shoot out and they are not built for that. Hopefully, for the Spartans, the game does not spiral quickly. Even still it is a tremendous opportunity for Michigan State to show the country that they are better than many think. The Spartans are a tournament team but today could change that conversation to being one of the best 20 teams in the country. The Bulldogs should still cover.

Enjoy this game for what it is, an early season matchup on an aircraft carrier designed to let kids have fun and give ESPN another reason for making money. The game could have just as easily been played indoors on a Naval base, but they decided to have it on an aircraft carrier. Hopefully, it’s a competitive game and all the players come out injury free. Enjoy your Veterans Day.