Michigan State Basketball once again is starting to build an impressive schedule for the upcoming season and the Spartans still have time to add to their already tough nonconference schedule.
The Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team is set to begin the 2023-24 season sometime in early November. The Spartans will face a tough schedule once again this year, with games against teams in the ACC, Big East, and Pac-12 in their non-conference slate. In the Big Ten, Michigan State will have to contend mainly with Purdue and possibly Maryland and Wisconsin for the conference title.
The Spartans return a number of key players from last year’s team, including A.J. Hoggard, Tyson Walker, Jaden Akins, and Malik Hall. Michigan State will also add a number of talented freshmen to the roster, including the arrival of highly rated recruits Xavier Booker, Jeremy Fears, and Coen Carr that add explosiveness and depth to an already talented and experienced team.
The Spartans have the potential to only be a very good team this year, but to be a great team that reaches the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament at the end of the season. The main reason is that they have a balanced roster with a lot of talent from a team that reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament last season.
If they can stay healthy and play together as expected from Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo, they could not only be a contender for the Big Ten title but also earn a trip to Phoenix to play in the national championship of the NCAA Tournament.
The Spartans will be tested early and often this season. They have a demanding non-conference schedule and a competitive Big Ten slate of games for this upcoming season. If they can stay healthy and play together, they can unseat Purdue for the Big Ten title and even win a national championship in 2024.
Let’s now take a look at what we know about the Spartans 2023-24 season.
Michigan State plays Duke in a potential top-five preseason match-up against two “blue blood” programs at the United Center in Chicago in the Champions Classic.
https://twitter.com/cbkreport/status/1646319008453361664?s=46&t=cs2UXejwavXJ5RPgGQjlwQ
History and Game Prediction
Last five games played between these two schools: Duke has been victorious in three out of the last five games they have played against the Spartans.
Current Win Streak: The Blue Devils have won the last game between these two schools, having a one-game winning streak between these two programs.
The last meeting between both schools: Duke defeated Michigan State on a neutral court in the NCAA Tournament by a final score of 85-76 back on March 20, 2022.
Prediction: Michigan wins in overtime by a score of 95-93. This should be similar to last season’s match-up when they went up against a very talented Kentucky team and the Spartan’s veteran leadership and experience gets them the close win against Duke in this premier non-conference game.
Michigan State hosts Butler in the annual Gavitt Tipoff Games
Hosting Butler at our house for the Gavitt Tipoff Games! 11/17/23 at the Breslin Center 🏀 pic.twitter.com/mAJcDqqfn1
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) May 24, 2023
History and Game Prediction
Two games have been played between these two schools in recent years: Both teams have each won a game against one another. Michigan State won the most recent one in 2021 and Butler defeated the Spartans in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
Current Win Streak: The Spartans have won the last game between these two schools, having a one-game winning streak in this series between these two programs.
The last meeting between both schools: Michigan State defeated Butler on the road by a final score of 73-52 during the 2021-22 season.
Prediction: Michigan State wins by a final score of 74-61.
Michigan State vs Arizona
https://twitter.com/msu_basketball/status/1658224659182112768?s=46&t=cs2UXejwavXJ5RPgGQjlwQ
History and Game Prediction
Last five games played between these two schools: Arizona has won three out of the last five games against Michigan State.
Current Win Streak: The Wildcats have won the last game between these two schools, having a one-game winning streak between these two programs.
The last meeting between both schools: Arizona defeated Michigan State on a neutral court in the Armed Forces Classic by a final score of 65-63 back on November 11, 2016.
Prediction: Michigan State defeats Arizona in a close game by the final score of 82-79.
Michigan State vs Oakland
Prior to the 2019-20 season, Michigan State and Oakland agreed to a six-year deal to extend the long-term series between the Spartans and Golden Grizzlies.
The series has and will alternate yearly between Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit and the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
The history of Michigan State and Oakland University basketball is a one-sided affair. The Spartans have won all 21 games between the two schools, dating back to 1998. The most recent meeting was on December 21, 2022, when Michigan State won 67-54.
The lopsided record between Michigan State and Oakland University is a reflection of the two schools’ different levels of competition. The Spartans are a member of the Big Ten Conference, one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball. Oakland University is a member of the Horizon League, a mid-major conference.
Despite the lopsided record, the games between Michigan State and Oakland University are usually competitive, especially when the games are not being played in East Lansing at the Breslin Center. The Golden Grizzlies have played the Spartans tough throughout the years, losing by only six points in overtime in 2015, four points in 2013, and only one point in 2010.
History and Game Prediction
21 games have been played between these two schools since 1998: Michigan State has won all of their games against Oakland.
Current Win Streak: The Spartans have won the last 21 games between these two schools, having a twenty-one-game winning streak in this series between these two programs.
The last meeting between both schools: Michigan State defeated Oakland at home by a final score of 67-54.
Prediction: Michigan State wins this game by a final score of 92-81.
Big Ten opponents
Michigan State has played basketball in the Big Ten Conference since 1950. The Spartans have won the Big Ten regular season championship 10 times since 1998, with the most recent title taking place in 2020. Michigan State has also won the Big Ten Tournament six times, most recently in 2019.
Michigan State has a long and storied history in the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans have been one of the most successful programs in the conference since Izzo became the head coach. Michigan State is a perennial contender in the Big Ten, and they are always a threat to win the conference tournament and regular season title.
https://twitter.com/msu_basketball/status/1650878480517836800?s=46&t=cs2UXejwavXJ5RPgGQjlwQ
The dates and times of Michigan State’s Big Ten opponents have not been released yet but they will more than likely play two conference games in December before getting into the heart of Big Ten games in January. There are some good things and not-so-good things to take away from the Big Ten schedule thus far.
The most disappointing part is that the Spartans will not be playing Purdue and Indiana in East Lansing this upcoming season. The Boilermakers are expected to compete with Michigan State for the Big Ten title and not playing them at home, is not ideal for the Spartans in their pursuit of capturing the conference regular season title.
The best part of the Big Ten schedule is being able to play old and new rivals like Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan home and away. It is also good to play schools like Minnesota, Northwestern, and Penn State for home and away as well. Not having to go on the road to play Iowa and Rutgers is favorable for the Spartans as Michigan State has not done well overall playing on the road against the Hawkeyes and Scarlet Knights.