Michigan State University has officially revealed the non-conference schedule for the 2024-25 men’s basketball season, featuring seven home games, a trip to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational, and a marquee matchup in the Champions Classic. The Spartans’ 11-game slate includes potential matchups against seven teams that qualified for the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
The Spartans will begin the season with two exhibition games, starting with a special trip to Northern Michigan University on October 13. Head coach Tom Izzo, a Northern Michigan alumnus, will lead his team in the Upper Peninsula for the first time since his own college days. The second exhibition match is scheduled for October 29, when Michigan State hosts Ferris State at the Breslin Center.
The regular season kicks off with two home games. On November 4, the Spartans will face Monmouth, followed by a November 7 contest against Niagara, both taking place at the Breslin Center.
One of the key highlights of the schedule is Michigan State’s participation in the Champions Classic. The Spartans will travel to Atlanta on November 12 to take on Kansas, a perennial powerhouse, in what promises to be an early-season test. Following the Champions Classic, Michigan State returns home for two more games, starting with Bowling Green on November 16. Former Spartan standout Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn, now an assistant coach for Bowling Green, will be in attendance. On November 19, Michigan State will host Samford before heading to Hawaii for one of the season’s most anticipated tournaments.
Michigan State Spartans’ 2024-25 Non-Conference Schedule: Key Matchups and Tournament Highlights
The Spartans will compete in the Maui Invitational from November 25-27, opening against Colorado. A win would see them face the winner of the UConn vs. Memphis matchup in the second round on November 26. The tournament’s final round on November 27 could see Michigan State clash with notable programs like North Carolina, Dayton, Iowa State, or Auburn.
After two Big Ten games in early December, the Spartans will close out their non-conference schedule with three more matchups. On December 17, Michigan State will face Oakland University at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, continuing their annual in-state rivalry.
The Spartans will return to the Breslin Center on December 21 to host Florida Atlantic University, the defending Conference USA champions. Finally, Michigan State will wrap up its non-conference schedule on December 30 with a home game against Western Michigan. The Broncos are led by Dwayne Stephens, a former Spartan player and longtime assistant coach under Izzo, making the matchup a meaningful reunion.
Michigan State’s non-conference schedule provides a balance of home games and challenging tournaments, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting 2024-25 season for the Spartans.
