Michigan State basketball is getting its first live look of the preseason on Friday night, and the opener comes against Incarnate Word at the Breslin Center.
It’s the first of three exhibitions for the Spartans in the month-long run-up to the official start of the 2026-27 season. Tickets were limited to Izzone members and season ticket holders, but the game will still be available to watch from home on B1G+. The streaming service costs $12.99 per month or $89.99 per year.
Michigan State is coming off a 2025-26 season in which it went 27-8 overall and 15-5 in the Big Ten before losing to (2) UConn in the Sweet 16. Tom Izzo enters his 32nd season at MSU and overall, with a career record of 764-310.
Incarnate Word finished 2025-26 at 12-19 overall and 7-15 in the Southland, and it did not qualify for the Southland Conference Tournament. Shane Heirman is in his fourth season at UIW and overall, carrying a 39-59 career record.
There’s some extra intrigue in this matchup beyond the fact that it’s the Spartans’ first exhibition. Izzo only got on-court practice started last week, though the team has already been together through summer workouts. He had hoped to line up a Division II opponent for this game, since it falls on the same night as the Izzone Campout, but NCAA rules blocked a lower-tier program from playing an exhibition this early.
Incarnate Word ended up being a logical fit. Heirman coached Jaren Jackson Jr. at La Lumiere School in Indiana, so he and Izzo likely crossed paths plenty during that stretch. Michigan State lead assistant Doug Wojcik also has a family tie to the Cardinals, since his brother, Dave, is on the Incarnate Word staff.
What matters most Friday is the lineup tinkering. Exhibition games are where Izzo gets to test different combinations, and this one should give him a chance to throw plenty at the wall against live competition.
The lone injury note is Cam Ward, who is dealing with a minor ankle sprain and will sit out. Izzo said the injury is minor enough that Ward would be available if this were a real game.
With practice just getting underway, there isn’t much reason to read too deeply into minutes or box score numbers. The biggest thing to watch will be the newcomers, especially Michigan State’s highly touted freshman class and portal addition Anton Bonke, who is expected to start at center. Their first impression should drive the conversation when the Spartans take the floor Friday night.
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