Michigan State basketball: Scheduling game with Gonzaga is genius move

Michigan State basketball is reportedly in “advanced discussions” to play Gonzaga on an aircraft carrier on Veteran’s Day.

Back when Mark Hollis was still athletic director, Michigan State was on the cutting edge of ideas when it came to innovative neutral-site games.

It seems like Alan Haller is the same way.

On Tuesday, Jon Rothstein reported that Gonzaga and Michigan State basketball are in “advanced discussions” to play a neutral site game on an aircraft carrier this season. Per the report, it would be in San Diego on Veteran’s Day.

This would be just a genius move for multiple reasons.

For one, it would get eyes on Michigan State to start the season much like the Champions Classic does. The Spartans would be in two massive early-season contests against top-10 teams in Gonzaga (aircraft carrier game) and Kentucky (Champions Classic). And they’ll also be part of the Phil Knight Invitational tourney along with teams like Alabama, Iowa State, North Carolina, Oregon, Villanova, and UConn.

Tom Izzo feels good about his roster heading into the season and being able to face elite teams early on neutral courts gives him an idea of how far he has to go in order to compete for a title.

Michigan State facing Gonzaga on a neutral court will be an NCAA Tournament-type preview. If the Spartans want to have a chance at a title this season, it’ll need to be competitive in games like this.

If the Spartans lose, they’ll have plenty to learn from and work on because Gonzaga is a national title contender and if they win, then Izzo’s decision to stand pat with his roster will earn praise.

Playing a national title contender early in the season on a neutral court is a genius move.