October 25th is just three and a half months away. That may seem like an eternity for people trying to soak in the final days of summer or for the college basketball fan who is eagerly waiting to watch their favorite program return to the court. However, the wait really is not that long, and before we know it, the college basketball season will officially be here.
The kids will be back in school, preparing their Halloween costumes and getting ready to go trick-or-treating with their friends, while adults will be looking forward to sports, scary movies and some much-needed relaxation.
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Before everyone starts setting out candy for the neighborhood kids, though, the Michigan State Spartans will have some business to take care of on the basketball court. The Spartans will face off against Marquette in one of their two exhibition matchups this season.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that Spartans head coach Tom Izzo loves to put his team through the fire early. He consistently challenges his players by forcing them into uncomfortable situations with new teammates. While players may practice together throughout the offseason, there is no replacement for the intensity and familiarity that comes with real game situations.
By putting his teams through adversity early, Izzo believes he can create stronger bonds and build a team that is prepared when the pressure arrives. Iron sharpens iron, and Izzo has never been afraid to test his players before the games actually start counting.
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Last season, the Spartans’ second exhibition matchup came against UConn, the same team Michigan State would eventually face in the Sweet 16 with both teams’ seasons on the line. The Huskies ultimately defeated Michigan State in both the exhibition matchup and the NCAA Tournament meeting, but the decision showed exactly how Izzo thinks.
The veteran coach understands the importance of preparing his team for the types of opponents they could see later in March. Getting an early look at a potential tournament-caliber opponent can provide valuable experience, and this is nothing new for Izzo, who has been challenging his teams this way for decades.
Marquette has become a consistent NCAA Tournament contender, making the tournament in each of the last four seasons. Last year, the Golden Eagles fell short in the first round, losing to 10-seed New Mexico. The season before that, they advanced all the way to the Sweet 16 before being upset by 11-seed NC State.
Even with those early exits, Marquette remains one of the top programs in the Big East. The Golden Eagles play a fast-paced style of basketball and have the ability to run up and down the court with some of the best teams in the country. They will enter this season looking to put everything together and make a deeper postseason run.
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For Marquette, facing Michigan State provides an opportunity to challenge their own team early in the season. Just like Izzo, their program understands that putting players in difficult situations helps them grow and prepares them for the challenges ahead.
The Spartans and Golden Eagles will face off on October 25th, with the matchup serving as one of the final tune-ups before the regular season officially begins.
Because this is an exhibition game, Michigan State will likely use the opportunity to give incoming freshmen and younger players valuable experience. Getting those players comfortable in a game environment early can be crucial if their number is called later in the season.
The matchup will also add another chapter to the history between these two programs. Michigan State and Marquette have met four times previously, with the Spartans winning each matchup. Those victories came in 1959, 2007 and 2023 in the NCAA Tournament, along with a regular season victory in 2014.
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Izzo will look to extend that winning streak, even though the exhibition matchup will not count toward the team’s official record or statistics.
Regardless, it should be a great early test between two respected college basketball programs. Spartan fans will not have to wait much longer to see their team back on the court, and October 25th will provide the first glimpse of what this Michigan State team can become.
