Michigan State basketball has a favorable 2024-25 Big Ten slate

Unlike in previous years, Michigan State basketball has one of the most favorable Big Ten slates in the conference.

It feels like the Michigan State basketball season just ended because, well, it kind of just did.

A little over a month ago, the Spartans were eliminated in the second round by North Carolina in a game that felt like it was going Michigan State’s way through the first 10 minutes. The Spartans were up double-digits on the 1-seeded Tar Heels before crumbling and losing all momentum, eventually losing by double figures.

Tom Izzo spoke to the media after the game and made a strong statement. He said he’d get Michigan State back to deep March runs “or die trying”.

That phrase still lives rent-free in a lot of MSU fans’ minds as Izzo decides to attack — or not attack — the transfer portal for a center. He hasn’t been linked to any centers, so it’s likely the final roster is set for next season.

And now so is the Big Ten slate.

On Wednesday, the Big Ten announced conference opponents for every team with the four newcomers added and Michigan State has to like its draw.

Here's a look at Michigan State's conference matchups in 2024-25:

Home: Indiana, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington, Wisconsin

Away: Iowa, Maryland, Northwestern, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA, USC

Home/Away: Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota

— Kyle Austin (@kylebaustin) May 1, 2024

The Spartans won’t have to travels to Indiana, Wisconsin, or Purdue which feels like a massive win. They lost at each of those venues this past season and the top two teams in the conference will likely be the Hoosiers and Boilermakers. Plus, we all know what happens when Michigan State goes to Mackey Area — they haven’t won there since Gary Harris was in East Lansing. Avoiding Mackey was a huge win. The same could be said for Assembly Hall.

The road-only slate is tough, but it’s not unbearable. Iowa, Maryland, Northwestern, Rutgers, and UCLA are all tough places to play. And so is Ohio State, but it hasn’t been as bad in recent years.

And the only opponents MSU will play twice are Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota which should make for some fun matchups.

The slate feels very different with only three opponents on the schedule twice, but Michigan State basketball fans have to love this draw.