How to Watch MSU Basketball's Exhibition vs. Bowling Green

Here are the details on how to view the first look at the defending Big Ten champs.

Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr., right, moves the ball against Bowling Green's Trey Thomas during the first half on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan State men's basketball is back in action, as the Spartans will take the court for the first time against another opponent on Thursday against Bowling Green.

This is the first of two exhibition games that MSU has this year. Thursday's result will not affect the team's record. The other exhibition game will be at UConn on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Michigan State's first official game is not until Monday, Nov. 3 against Colgate.

Michigan State's coach Tom Izzo instructs the team during the first day of basketball practice on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Exhibition games are often a lot more difficult to be able to view, as most of them are not widely televised.

If you cannot make it out to the Breslin Center, here is how you can still experience all the action.

Streaming Info

Michigan State's Carson Cooper, right, battles Bowling Green's Jamai Felt for a rebound during the first half on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Streaming: Big Ten Plus

Tip Time: 7 p.m. ET

Prices for Big Ten Plus

Monthly Pass: $12.99 per month

Annual Pass: $89.99 per year (breaks down to about $7.50 per month)

Last Year's Meeting

Michigan State's Jaden Akins, right, celebrates after a 3-pointer against Bowling Green during the second half on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan State actually hosted Bowling Green last year in a game that mattered on Nov. 16, 2024. The Spartans won, 86-72, but the Falcons really made things difficult for MSU that day. It was the fourth official contest of the 2024-25 season for both teams.

BGSU led by as much as 12 during the first half and had an eight-point lead during the second half.

With 7:11 to go in the game, the Falcons scored their 71st and 72nd and final points of the game to make their lead 72-68. Michigan State closed the contest on an 18-0 run to escape with the victory.

If Bowling Green had been able to pull off the upset, it would have been one of the unlikeliest in recent memory. Michigan State finished ranked No. 7 nationally in the AP Poll after advancing to the Elite Eight.

Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo, left, and Bowling Green's head coach Todd Simon shake hands after the game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

BGSU finished 14-18 overall with an 8-10 record in MAC play and finished ranked No. 289 out of 364 Division I teams on KenPom.

For the Spartans that day, the best player was Jaden Akins, who finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Among those returning to Michigan State this season, the best performance was probably from Coen Carr, who had 11 points, five rebounds, and a steal.

Nov 16, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) dunks against Bowling Green Falcons during the second half at Breslin Center. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images | Junfu Han/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

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