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Big Ten basketball schedules are out; here's who Michigan State plays
TL;DR
Michigan State's basketball schedule for the Big Ten has been released, featuring tough opponents both at home and on the road. Key matchups include games against Michigan, Nebraska, and a West Coast trip to face UCLA and Southern Cal.
Key points
- Michigan State has a challenging non-conference schedule.
- The Big Ten schedule includes home and away opponents.
- Key home games include matchups against Michigan and Purdue.
- The Spartans will face Michigan twice as part of their rivalry.
- Nebraska is also a significant opponent after last season's loss.
Michigan State SpartansNebraska CornhuskersMichigan WolverinesUCLA Bruins
Michigan State wasted no time in putting together a tough non-conference schedule this offseason. Its Big Ten campaign won't be any lighter.
The Big Ten announced Tuesday the home and away opponents on each men's basketball team's Big Ten schedule, including Michigan State.
At home, Michigan State hosts Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Washington and Wisconsin. Tom Izzo will take his 32nd team on the road against Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern and Ohio State with the annual West Coast trip serving up games against UCLA and Southern Cal in Los Angeles. The Spartans will double up home and away against Maryland, Nebraska and Michigan.
The two-time opponents alone are tough. Facing defending Big Ten and national champion Michigan was guaranteed as a protected rivalry, and those two dates may be the ones circled in big red marker on the schedule as revenge games for the Spartans' 0-2 record against the Wolverines last season. But there's another Big Red that Michigan State may need to worry about: Nebraska, who Fred Hoiberg finally got winning, including a christening 58-56 win over the Spartans on Jan. 2 in Lincoln that saw fans storm the court in waves.
The Cornhuskers tied with Michigan State for second in the conference standings last season, then won its first two NCAA Tournament games in school history before Iowa dispatched them in the Sweet 16.
Iowa, which lost to Illinois in the Elite Eight, is part of a tough road schedule that also includes those Illini — it took a whale of a game from Jaxon Kohler last time the Spartans went down to Champaign in February 2025 in the game that made Tom Izzo the all-time wins leader of the Big Ten.
The West Coast trip could be a toughie, too, as Michigan State lost to both USC and UCLA when it made that trip in January 2025. Michigan State dispatched the Trojans at Breslin Center this past season in a blowout best remembered for former Spartan star Paul Davis being ejected by referee Jeffrey Anderson. UCLA after suffering a shellacking at Breslin Center earlier in the year.
Q&A
What teams does Michigan State play at home in the Big Ten?
Michigan State will host Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Who are Michigan State's away opponents in the Big Ten schedule?
The Spartans will play away games against Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern, and Ohio State.
When do Michigan State and Michigan play each other in basketball?
Michigan State will face Michigan twice during the season as part of their protected rivalry.
What is significant about Michigan State's games against Nebraska?
Michigan State will play Nebraska twice, and they lost to the Cornhuskers in a close game last season, making these matchups particularly important.