Spartan basketball has been known during the Izzo reign as having a rather tough non conference schedule. Never backing down from an opportunity to gain exposure, experience, and moxy. This seasons schedule looks
like one of the toughest the Spartans have faced and against programs that typically have the Spartans number. We’re going to take a look at some of the big non conference games on the schedule and see how MSU matches up against an onslaught of NCAA Blue Bloods as well as some pesky additional matchups.
Colgate
MSU opens the season Monday night against the Patriot League juggernaut, Colgate. Last season was the first time they did not walk away with the league title after winning the previous four. Colgate has a large group of underclassman and without their 5 year leader Jeff Woodward. Colgate also schedules difficult opponents to build the core and put together a conference run. This is exactly why they have MSU on their schedule. The Spartans should be able to take care of business against Colgate. The Raiders have some height but the Spartans speed and breakout style should favor them and perhaps get the Colgate bigs in trouble. MSU doesn’t want to come out flat and especially start the season with a home loss. Look for the Spartans to be on top in this one.
Arkansas
John Calipari brings the Razorbacks to East Lansing after a first year in Arkansas that could not have gone much better. Last year he relied heavily on portal players, this year he has a solid recruiting class and also found some key portal additions to put some heavier expectations on his team. Calipari is 3-2 against Izzo and both coaches hold each other under high regard. This is going to be a very interesting matchup and perhaps give us a very early insight on how this season may go. Arkansas has one of the youngest lineups in the NCAA with 7 freshmen and 4 sophomores on the team. As far as raw talent, Arkansas has more of that than MSU with a couple of potential lottery picks like Darius Acuff Jr and Meleek Thomas. MSU is going to have to rely on experience, home court and intelligence. In a matchup like this Arkansas could potentially have some guys wanting to show out and if their team hasn’t found that preseason gel yet could play selfishly. This is where MSU should try to take advantage. Will Izzo be able to pull off the upset against the higher ranked Calipari team to even the matchup at 3-3?
Kentucky
This years Champions Classic in Madison Square Garden will have the Spartans taking on Kentucky. Kentucky has the fourth best odds currently to win the title so this will be another big test for MSU. Kentucky will have at least one tested game under their belt as they will have already went to Louisville to play the Cardinals. MSU will have played Arkansas just ten days prior. MSU has an all time record of 5-8 in the Classic and it does at least feel like from a fans perspective that that record is worse. MSU does hold a 6-4 record against Kentucky and usually plays them well. Otega Oweh looks to lead the Wildcats to a title appearance as many see Kentucky vs Purdue in the title as a real possibility. This is another matchup for the Spartans where the opponent on paper has far more talent. Kentucky is also very deep and plays an extremely difficult schedule this season. The entire starting five for the Wildcats are portal additions with most coming in this season. This is potentially the weakness for Kentucky when MSU plays them early in the season. Kentucky will have player that are expected to play larger roles than they did at their previous school and the fan base in Lexington is one that will not be patient. This team may need time to gel and MSU could take advantage of that if it’s a close game down the stretch.
North Carolina
Spartan fans will get something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving as MSU will take on North Carolina in the Beach division at the Fort Myers Tip Off. This game will have a lot of exposure as it is on a perfect time and day to have a lot of eyes. MSU is 4-6 against the Tar Heels but this season both teams are relatively equal in expectations. Carolina was busy in the portal getting Jonathan Powell and Henri Veesar as well as the likely one and done lottery pick Caleb Wilson. These additions give Carolina a front court that they lacked last year. The made the tourney under Blue Blood status last year but this year they should make it without much worry. Carolina like to shoot the three, protect the ball and dominate the paint. MSU will have to play scrappy and protect the ball themselves. MSU will need to out-rebound Carolina and hope it is one of those days that the three ball is cold. Carolina writers all have them beating MSU in this game but I think it will be closer and out of all the Blue Blood matchups MSU has this season, this is one I feel is the most winnable.
Duke
The December sleigh bells will be bringing in the Blue Devil to East Lansing. MSU is 2-10 against Duke and always seems to be outmatched. This will mark only the second time the two face off in East Lansing and the home court didn’t help the Spartans the first time. MSU averages about a ten point deficit in games against Duke. Duke enters the season as one of the top three teams on Fan Duel’s championship odds. They have Purdue and Houston ahead of them. One would think losing a talent like Cooper Flagg would put Duke in an off year but their consistent ability to reload top tier freshman talent make this a very deep and talented Duke team. Former Blue Devil Carlos Boozer has his twin freshman sons in the starting lineup. Boozer was an exceptional talent when he was at Duke and his son Cameron may be even better. He’s an athletic phenom that is good at every facet of the game. He can shoot from anywhere, he’s quick, can rebound, and tenacious on defense. Duke only has two players that have started a game for them prior to this season on the roster and one of them is Caleb Foster. He is a pure shooter and being a full time starter this season will give hime an opportunity to be one of the nations best. This is going to be a very tough matchup for MSU. After games against NC, Arkansas and Kentucky, MSU will know exactly what kind of team it is and whether or not they will be able to compete in this game. It will be a great game to see at Breslin with all the talent on the court.
San Jose State, Oakland and Cornell are a few other non conference matchups that play big teams well and scrappy. MSU will not be able to take these teams lightly but all three should be wins. After the non conference gauntlet the Spartans will be further tested in B1G action with games against UCLA, Michigan, Purdue, etc. It is without a doubt that by the time Tourney selection takes place this team will be battle tested and we will have a strong idea of what to expect if MSU keeps its appearance streak alive.
