The Significance of MSU's Grind Week

Michigan State basketball is celebrating Grind Week once again.

Michigan State Men's Head Basketball Coach Tom Izzo speaks to the crowd before the start of the Izzo Legacy 5K run Sunday, April 27, 2025. | Robert Killips | Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Michigan State Spartans basketball team is hosting its annual ‘Grind Week,’ where former MSU greats come back to campus, work out on the court, and offer advice to the current players. 

Tom Izzo has held the event for the past few seasons, and it has been a resounding success. Izzo has created a culture in East Lansing that players want to remain a part of for their entire lives. 

The Spartans are coming off a run to the Elite Eight, so getting advice from players who have reached a Final Four before should be helpful as the team looks to advance even farther in the NCAA Tournament in 2025-26. 

Michigan State men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo speaks to another attendee during a game at Nike EYBL at the Memphis Sports & Events Center on Saturday, May 17, 2025. | Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

MSU is a blue blood in the college basketball landscape. Izzo’s program is championship-pedigree, and events like Grind Week do not happen at other programs. 

As is the case every year, multiple Spartans are back to shoot hoops and improve their games, including Draymond Green, Xavier Tillman, Kalin Lucas, Korie Luscious, and many more. 

Mar 17, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Kalin Lucas (1) in the second half against the UCLA Bruins during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the St. Pete Times Forum. UCLA Bruins defeated Michigan State Spartans 78-76. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images | Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Grind Week

Having players who have won at several levels of the game of basketball is valuable for the current team, as the Spartans on this year’s roster are learning how to win and improving their own games. 

Not only is it important to have former players back on campus to help the young Spartans, but bringing them back and reaffirming their Spartan brotherhood is important to Izzo. 

Michigan State University basketball coach Tom Izzo speaks Wednesday, June 4, 2025, before MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz introduced J Batt (bottom right) as the Spartan’s new athletic director. | Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

MSU has recruits visiting this weekend, so not only are former and current Spartans participating in Grind Week, but potential future Spartans are getting a feel for the culture, too. 

Early September is an exciting time in East Lansing. Past and present Spartans gather for Grind Week, while the football team is beginning play. 

All the Spartans get the chance to gather at Spartan Stadium on Saturday to check out the football game, and the brotherhood reaches across all MSU athletics. 

Michigan State Director of Athletics J Batt watches a play against Western Michigan form the sideline during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, August 29, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

New Athletic Director J Batt should embrace Grind Week and use it as a fundraising tool. He can, in turn, bring more money into the basketball program. 

Grind Week is an important time for the Spartan basketball team, past and present. It helps current players improve, while reminding former players that they are Spartan Dawgs for Life.

Stay up to date with all our hoops content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be sure to share your thoughts on Grind Week when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Don't forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.