Michigan State basketball to play in first game of NCAA Tournament’s first round

Tip-off times have been announced and Michigan State basketball will officially play in the first game of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Michigan State basketball is officially in. After sweating it out most of Saturday and Sunday, the Spartans found out that they are in the NCAA tournament as a 9-seed. The Spartans’ opponent is the 8-seeded Mississippi State Bulldogs, so we have some MSU on MSU action in the first round of the tournament.

The only other question that remains is when is the game?

Michigan State will play in the first game of the tournament

Michigan State will take on Mississippi State at 12:15 pm ET on Thursday.

The game, which will be on CBS, is the first game of the NCAA Tournament. I know, I know, maybe not technically the first game because of the First Four on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the Spartans will be featured in the first game of round one.

This is a big deal to get this time slot for a few reasons. First is the fact that everyone who even cares a little bit about the NCAA Tournament will be watching. It will be the only game on for a little bit and will be the first game to end. Maybe having the entire country watching is nerve-wracking, but I personally love having as many eyeballs on Michigan State basketball as possible.

Also, the TV networks usually pick the first game of the tournament to be a big draw. Typically that means it will likely be either a really close game or one featuring a big brand. In this case it’s both, as Michigan State is a top brand in college basketball and the Spartans open as a two-point favorite.

Brand-new season

The season may not have gone how we hoped, but none of that matters now. Thursday is when a brand new season begins. If Michigan State can find a way to go on a deep tournament run, then all of its struggles this year won’t matter anymore.

This team undoubtedly has a chance to do so, but will they actually do it is the question. Your guess is as good as mine, but the opportunity for them is there. Thursday can’t come soon enough.