The Michigan State basketball schedule 2024-25 delivered a high-stakes campaign for Tom Izzo's squad, featuring marquee non-conference tests and a punishing expanded Big Ten slate. Tracking every tip-off, key matchup, and broadcast channel required following a winter full of iconic rivalries and historic tournament battles.
For fans reviewing how the Spartans navigated this memorable season, understanding the core dates, pivotal games, and viewing options provides a complete picture of the winter hardwood journey.
Early-Season Tournaments and Non-Conference Tests
Tom Izzo traditionally loads the early slate with elite competition to harden his roster before January conference play. The 2024-25 campaign kicked off at the State Farm Champions Classic, where the Spartans faced Kansas on November 12, 2024, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, falling in a competitive 77-69 battle.
The schedule escalated later in November during a trip to the Maui Invitational. Michigan State opened the tournament with a 72-56 win over Colorado on November 25, dropped a tight 71-63 decision to Memphis on November 26, and bounced back in dramatic fashion with a 94-91 overtime thriller against North Carolina on November 27. Other notable non-conference tune-ups at the Breslin Center included matchups against Niagara, Bowling Green, Samford, and Florida Atlantic.
- Champions Classic vs. Kansas: November 12, 2024 (Atlanta, GA)
- Maui Invitational vs. Colorado: November 25, 2024 (Maui, HI)
- Maui Invitational vs. Memphis: November 26, 2024 (Maui, HI)
- Maui Invitational vs. North Carolina: November 27, 2024 (Maui, HI)
Big Ten Conference Highlights and Rivalries
The expanded Big Ten conference schedule brought intense road tests and traditional home battles. Michigan State opened conference action early with a road win against Minnesota on December 4, 2024, before returning to East Lansing to host Nebraska.
The fiercest spotlight always shines on the clashes against archival programs. The regular season series against arch-rival Michigan featured a road win on February 21, 2025, and a home victory on Senior Day on March 9, 2025. Other major conference hurdles included grueling road trips to USC and UCLA in early February, alongside a signature home win over Purdue on February 18, 2025. You can check official team updates and historical archives directly on the Michigan State Athletics portal.
How to Watch Michigan State Basketball
Broadcast rights for Michigan State basketball games are split across major networks and streaming services. Depending on the specific week of the season, games appeared on various channels:
- Big Ten Network (BTN): Home to numerous early-season non-conference contests and mid-tier conference matchups.
- Fox and FS1: Frequently broadcast premier weekend games and high-profile rivalry matchups.
- ESPN / ESPN2 / ABC: Handled marquee tournaments like the Champions Classic and Maui Invitational, alongside selected conference showdowns.
- Peacock: Carried exclusive live-streaming windows for select Big Ten men's basketball games throughout the winter.
Streaming packages like Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV provided complete access to these networks. For official NCAA tournament details and post-season brackets, consult the NCAA official site.
Roster Core and Key Contributors
Tom Izzo relied on a balanced blend of seasoned veterans and explosive younger talent. Guard Jaden Akins anchored the perimeter scoring, while point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. directed the floor offense with elite court vision. Up front, forwards Jaxon Kohler and Coen Carr provided physical rebounding and rim presence, supported by freshman standout Jase Richardson.
* Jaden Akins (Guard, Sr.): 12.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG
* Jase Richardson (Guard, Fr.): 12.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG
* Jeremy Fears Jr. (Guard, So.): 7.2 PPG, 5.4 APG
* Jaxon Kohler (Forward, Jr.): 7.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Michigan State play its home games during the 2024-25 season?
The Spartans played the vast majority of their home games at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, Michigan. They also played a select marquee neutral-site game in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena.
How many games did Michigan State play in the regular season?
The team played a standard 31-game regular-season schedule prior to conference tournament play and the NCAA postseason.
Where can I find complete box scores and historical stats?
Comprehensive box scores, player efficiency ratings, and game recaps are archived on Sports Reference CBB.
