Michigan State basketball: Big Ten releases 2023-24 opponents

Although the Michigan State basketball season ended a month ago, hoops has been the topic of conversation on Tuesday afternoon.

The Big Ten schedule is usually on everyone’s minds when speaking of offseason matters, and every fan wants to know which teams that their favorite program will only have to face once and which foes are on the schedule twice?

For Michigan State fans, the 2023-24 slate is more important than ever because there are national title goals to live up to.

On Tuesday, the Big Ten released its home and away-only opponents for each team and Spartan fans have a mixed bag to choose from.

On one hand, it’s great that Michigan State doesn’t have to go to Carver-Hawkeye Arena again (nightmares from that one still) nor do the Spartans have to travel to the RAC or Columbus to face a much-improved Ohio State team.

Conversely, the away-only games are tough with Purdue (of course), Indiana, and Nebraska.

Can Michigan State basketball finally win at Mackey?

It feels like it’s been decades since Michigan State last won at Mackey Arena. It hasn’t quite been decades, but it’s been nearly one decade.

Is this the year that drought finally ends?

Michigan State only has to prepare for the Boilermakers once and they might be without Zach Edey who has declared for the NBA draft but is maintaining college eligibility. If he’s gone, I like Michigan State’s chances to finally steal one at Purdue. If he’s back, well, I don’t like the Spartans’ chances so much.

Outside of that, Michigan State should have a decent road to a Big Ten title with two winnable games against Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern (please, for once), and Penn State. I could see the Spartans splitting against Illinois, Maryland, and Wisconsin — and even the Wolverines due to the rivalry being 50/50 since Juwan Howard was hired.

Overall, can’t hate on the slate too much other than the Purdue road game.