MSU Hoops' Non-Conference Schedule Already Looks Loaded

Soft non-conference schedules are hardly a thing at Michigan State.

It's not a secret that Tom Izzo likes to play tough games early in the season to help toughen his team for the upcoming Big Ten schedule. Just last year, MSU played UConn (exhibition), Duke, Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

Michigan State's Tom Izzo gives instructions to his team during a game against Rutgers on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Breslin Center. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

Normally, these schedules aren't even close to being finalized by now. All the contracts for the non-conference games obtained by Spartan Nation via a public records request from this past season were signed in June 2025 or later, except for the annual Champions Classic game.

Even though Michigan State's season ended a week ago, we already have some clarity on the teams the Spartans will face earlier next year. Here is what we know so far:

UConn (Exhibition)

Apr 2, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Uconn head coach Dan Hurley during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

An all-too-familiar foe is coming to the Breslin Center next season. Michigan State went to Storrs to face UConn in an exhibition this past October. Of course, the Huskies went on to eliminate MSU in the Sweet 16, ending the Spartans' season.

Connecticut will be returning the favor before the official start of the season next season and complete the exhibition home-and-home. The first exhibition was mutually beneficial for both sides last time, and it'll probably be the same thing next fall.

Duke

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer reacts in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Michigan State will also face Duke during the regular season for a second consecutive year. The Blue Devils outlasted the Spartans in East Lansing this past season, but next season's game will be on a neutral court.

That's because Duke will be MSU's opponent in the annual Champions Classic, which rotates Michigan State among Duke, Kansas, and Kentucky each year. This game will be on Nov. 10 at the United Center in Chicago.

Arkansas

Izzo and John Calipari are also getting paired up for a second straight year. Michigan State beat Arkansas last year, 69-66, during the second official game of the year in East Lansing.

This year was supposed to be the return game for the Razorbacks in Fayetteville, but there has been a change of plans. Izzo revealed to longtime Lansing sportscaster Tim Staudt that the game will instead be on Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) in Detroit, which Calipari seemed to confirm on Thursday evening on Twitter/X.

Gonzaga

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few reacts during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Kennesaw State Owls at Moda Center. | Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Izzo also revealed to Staudt that Michigan State would be going somewhere in California to face Gonzaga again. The Spartans most recently faced the Bulldogs on an aircraft carrier back in November 2022, which the Zags won, 64-63.

This might be a good way to simulate an NCAA Tournament experience early in the season. It shouldn't be a super Gonzaga-friendly crowd in California, but flying out that far for a neutral-site game against a quality foe will be a very valuable experience.

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo tells a story to the media while recalling his very first Sweet 16 during a press conference at Capital One Arena in Washington DC on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The Spartans play the University of Connecticut on Friday evening. | Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images