Michigan State basketball locks in non-conference battle with Detroit Mercy

Michigan State basketball had a busy week, with the Spartans securing another home game as their 2025-26 schedule continues to come together. The Spartans will play the in-state Detroit Mercy Titans at the Breslin Center in November.

Michigan State basketball schedules a tune-up, or is it a trap?

The Spartans will play the Titans for the first time since 2020, where Michigan State emerged victorious, 83-76. Since that meeting in 2020, things have gone in drastically different directions for both squads.

The Spartans limped into the tournament in 2020-21, being bounced in the first round. Following a trio of 20-plus win seasons, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2022, the Spartans advanced to the Elite Eight last season. Longtime coach Tom Izzo has been the steady voice at the helm of the Spartans.

Meanwhile, for Detroit Mercy, the Titans have begged for some mercy recently. The 2020 matchup was UDM’s last winning season, with the Titans bottoming out at an abysmally bad 1-31 season in 2023 that led to Mike Davis being fired. New coach Mark Montgomery improved the team, but only slightly, with the Detroit-based team going 8-24 last year.

While the Titans look to find new success, Tom Izzo and the Spartans look to continue their run from last season. The Spartans will be looking to replace a few contributors, such as Jaden Akins, Jase Richardson, and Tre Holloman.

This game, on paper, provides an excellent “tune-up”. The Spartans have this slotted after their matchup with Kentucky in the Champions Classic on Nov. 18, and before they head to the Fort Myers Tip-Off to play East Carolina and blue blood North Carolina on Nov. 25 and 27, respectively.

However, if Tom Izzo’s words are to be believed, the Spartans will play playing a sleeping giant (or, in this case, Titan) on Nov. 21. Izzo will have the Spartans prepared for Detroit Mercy, no matter the result of the Champions Classic.

Once again, on paper, this game gives an excellent chance for the Spartans to jump to a lead to give starters a longer break before the schedule really ramps up. If 2020 was any lesson, however, do not rest on the game. Michigan State basketball is 20-8 all time against UDM, with the average score being 75.5 points to 68.

It is fair to say a 7.5-point victory is not a blow out by any means.

Small footnote: The Spartan women’s team hosted the women’s UDM team last season, winning 101-44.

Michigan State basketball schedule outlook

The Titans are the most recent non-conference date announced, alongside the aforementioned opponents, and a home date for Duke (Dec. 6) and Arkansas (to be announced). The Spartans will also travel to UConn for a pre-season exhibition match on Oct. 28.

Michigan State will also host Illinois, Iowa, UCLA, USC, Maryland, Northwestern, and Ohio State for Big Ten play, while visiting Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, Purdue, and Penn State. The remaining conference opponents (Rutgers, Indiana, Michigan) will see the Spartans both host and visit their squads for games.