Tom Izzo has never been shy about loading up Michigan State’s non-conference slate, and this year’s version is a monster.
The Spartans are set to see Duke, Arkansas, Tennessee and Gonzaga before Big Ten play settles in, with a batch of smaller programs that have owned their leagues in recent seasons also on the calendar: Drake, Merrimack, Penn and Quinnipiac. Add in two exhibition matchups against UConn and Marquette, and the road into the season looks every bit as demanding as Izzo intended.
That’s part of the point. Michigan State is trying to harden itself for the Big Ten grind and, eventually, an NCAA Tournament run that could wind up in Detroit.
According to Andy Katz, the challenge is real enough that Michigan State owns the third-toughest non-conference schedule in the country. Even more striking: of Katz’s six toughest non-conference schedules, the Spartans will face five of those teams.
UConn sits at No. 1 on Katz’s list, though Michigan State will only see the Huskies in exhibition play. The Huskies reached the national title game last season and have put together their own punishing schedule before the tournament even starts.
Duke checks in at No. 2, and the Spartans will get that one on Nov. 10 in Chicago. Duke beat Michigan State last season and, had the Spartans gotten past UConn, would have been waiting for them in the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan State lands at No. 3.
Illinois is next at No. 4, and the Spartans go to Illinois on Feb. 5.
Michigan State stunned the Fighting Illini at the Breslin Center last season. Illinois brings back a loaded roster with plenty of size, even after losing freshman phenom Keaton Wagler to the NBA Draft.
Arkansas is No. 5, and that one comes on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, in Detroit. It’s a fitting stage, too, with the Final Four headed to Detroit later in the season. Michigan State beat Arkansas by three points to open last season, even while hitting just one 3-pointer the entire game.
Gonzaga rounds out Katz’s top six, and Michigan State will face the Bulldogs at the Acrisure Classic in California on Dec. 19.
The rest of Katz’s top 10 toughest non-conference schedules includes Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky and Texas Tech.
Izzo’s philosophy hasn’t changed: make the Spartans earn every inch early so they’re ready when the stakes rise later. He has already described this group as one of his most-liked teams, and the schedule gives fans plenty to circle.
Michigan State isn’t just playing games before conference season.
It’s stepping into a gauntlet.
Michigan State’s Non-Conference Schedule
Oct. 2 - (E) UIW
Oct. 20 - (E) UConn
Oct. 25 - (E) Marquette
Nov. 2 - Quinnipiac
Nov. 5 - Toledo
Nov. 10 - (N) Duke - Chicago
Nov. 17 - at Tennessee
Nov. 21 - Detroit
Nov. 26 - (N) Arkansas - Detroit
Dec. 5 - Drake
Dec. 12 - Merrimack
Dec. 19 - (N) Gonzaga - California
Dec. 22 - Oakland
Dec. 29 - Penn
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