Which Big Ten teams will Michigan State basketball only see once in 2023-24?

The Big Ten released its 2023-24 opponents on Tuesday. Who will Michigan State basketball see only once next year?

It feels like only yesterday that Michigan State basketball was facing Kansas State in a Sweet 16 thriller at Madison Square Garden. The season, however, ended a month ago and key decisions have been made regarding the NBA draft and returning for one final year.

With the roster almost all set for next year, Tom Izzo can focus on improving before what looks to be another grueling Big Ten season.

On Tuesday, the conference announced opponents for the 2023-24 season so Michigan State knows who it’ll get to play once and who it’ll see twice.

B1G opponents for 23-24 ? pic.twitter.com/gV5x1w6DIZ

— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) April 25, 2023

The away-only teams are some of the toughest in the league and, if you’re a Michigan State basketball fan, you’re thinking to yourself, “Of course.”

Purdue, Indiana, and Nebraska are the three teams Michigan State will see just once on the road next year and it feels like the Spartans haven’t won at Mackey Arena since the Bush administration. Indiana is another tough road matchup because Assembly Hall is one of the most daunting road atmospheres in college hoops and Nebraska is an up-and-comer in the conference and Fred Hoiberg has Lincoln rocking on gamedays now.

The good news, however, is that Michigan State doesn’t have to go back to Iowa where that nightmarish meltdown happened nor does it have to go to the RAC to face Rutgers. They get Rutgers, Iowa, and Ohio State at home only. Not too bad.

As for the teams that Michigan State faces twice next year, Michigan is obvious and you can live with Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State, and Wisconsin.

It’s a tough schedule, but if there’s any team in the Big Ten that should be “feared” next year, it’s the Spartans. They’ll have the biggest target on their backs.

Plus, if Zach Edey leaves Purdue for the NBA, this could finally be the year Michigan State secures a win at Mackey Arena. That’d be a nice change.