Michigan State Basketball: 3 keys in 2022 non-con matchup with Gonzaga
By Bryan Mauro
The Carrier Classic was played on Veterans Day on a US Navy Aircraft Carrier. The game was played for two seasons in 2011 and 2012. There were no future games scheduled to be named the Carrier Classic. Fast forward 10 years and here we are again. Veterans Day is hosting yet another game on an aircraft carrier in San Diego, California. This will be the only game of its kind this season and it features two of the premier basketball teams in the country. Michigan State Basketball is set to meet Gonzaga aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Armed Forces Classic.
The two teams are going to battle the elements, more on that later, and are going to conclude opening week with the best game of the entire week leading into the weekend. The Spartans are the old blood, they have been one of the most tradition-rich college basketball teams. They have always been good and have seen a ton of NBA talent come through the ranks in East Lansing like Magic Johnson, Draymond Green, and Scott Skiles just to name a few. The Spartans have a National Championship, a legendary coach, and a rabid fan base who expects them to be great every season.
Gonzaga is the new blood. Over the last 25 years, they have been arguably the best program in the nation every year. They are turning into a team that everyone loves to hate and have still yet to secure their first National Championship. The Bulldogs also have a legendary coach, legendary players, and rabid fan base who expects them to be great every season. This game is not going to define either team’s season but will give all of us a good look into what to expect from each team this year. The Spartans will not be favored to win this game but if they follow these three keys they may be able to come away with a victory.