When Does Michigan State Play Basketball? 2025-2026 Schedule

By Sarah Miller · October 2, 2027

Michigan State University's basketball team plays its next game on November 4, 2025, against Delaware State at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, MI. The full regular season schedule includes 20 conference games in the Big Ten and several non-conference matchups starting in November 2025, leading up to the Big Ten Tournament in March 2026.

When Does Michigan State Play Basketball: Full Schedule Overview

The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team begins their 2025-2026 season in early November with a home game. Their schedule follows the standard NCAA Division I format, featuring non-conference games through December and Big Ten Conference play from December through February.

Key Dates for the 2025-2026 Season

November 4, 2025: Season opener vs. Delaware State (Home)
November 11, 2025: First road game at Eastern Michigan
December 2, 2025: Big Ten opener vs. Northwestern (Home)
January 4, 2026: Marquee matchup vs. Purdue (Away)
February 28, 2026: Final regular season game vs. Indiana (Home)
March 11–15, 2026: Big Ten Tournament, Madison Square Garden, New York
March 19 onward: NCAA Tournament (if qualified)

Where to Watch Michigan State Basketball Games

Fans can catch every Michigan State basketball game through multiple platforms. Most regular-season games are broadcast on either the Big Ten Network (BTN), ESPN, or FOX Sports. Home games are played at the Breslin Student Events Center, which seats over 14,000 fans.

Broadcast Channels for MSU Games

Big Ten Network (BTN): Covers most conference games
ESPN/ESPN2: Selected marquee matchups and tournament games
FOX/FS1: High-profile Big Ten games
MSU Athletics Website: Live streaming of all games via msuspartans.com
Radio: WJR 760 AM for statewide live coverage

Michigan State 2025-2026 Regular Season Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	Venue	TV Channel
Nov 4, 2025	Delaware State	Home	Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI	BTN+
Nov 11, 2025	Eastern Michigan	Away	Convocation Center, Ypsilanti, MI	ESPNU
Nov 18, 2025	vs. Arizona (in Las Vegas)	Neutral	T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV	ESPN2
Dec 2, 2025	Northwestern	Home	Breslin Center	BTN
Jan 4, 2026	Purdue	Away	Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN	FOX
Feb 1, 2026	Michigan	Home	Breslin Center	ESPN
Feb 28, 2026	Indiana	Home	Breslin Center	FS1

Table data source:1, 2

The Spartans play 17 home games during the 2025-2026 season, indicating strong fan accessibility. Non-conference games are scheduled early, allowing teams to build momentum before entering the competitive Big Ten slate. The table shows a balanced mix of home, away, and neutral-site contests, typical of Power Five programs.

Tournament Appearances and Postseason Outlook

Michigan State is projected to compete in both the Big Ten Tournament and potentially the NCAA March Madness Tournament. As a historically strong program under coaches like Tom Izzo, the Spartans regularly qualify for postseason play. The 2026 Big Ten Tournament will be held at Madison Square Garden from March 11–15, 2026.

Big Ten Tournament: All 14 teams participate; MSU typically seeds between 3rd and 8th
NCAA Tournament: Selection Sunday is March 15, 2026; field announced nationally
NIT (Alternate): Secondary option if Spartans miss NCAA bid

Frequently Asked Questions About When Michigan State Plays Basketball

When does the Michigan State basketball season start?

The 2025-2026 Michigan State basketball season starts on November 4, 2025, with a home game against Delaware State at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, MI.

Where can I find the official Michigan State basketball schedule?

The official schedule is available on the Michigan State Athletics website at msuspartans.com/schedule/mens-basketball, updated weekly with game times and TV assignments.

Are Michigan State basketball games televised?

Yes, most Michigan State games are televised on major networks including BTN, ESPN, FOX, and FS1. Fans can also stream games live via the MSU Athletics website or the ESPN app with authentication.

How many games does Michigan State play in a season?

Michigan State typically plays 31–35 games per season, including 20 Big Ten conference games, 11–13 non-conference games, and potential postseason contests in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.

What time do Michigan State basketball games usually start?

Home games at Breslin Center typically start at 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM ET. Weekend or televised games may have earlier or later start times depending on network scheduling.