The 2025-26 Michigan State basketball season tips off on Monday night as the Spartans host Colgate at the Breslin Center.
The reigning Big Ten champs enter the season as the No. 22 team in the country and they’re also projected to finish just sixth in the conference. Tom Izzo is ready to prove his doubters wrong once again, but the Spartans will have to gel rather quickly after a couple of disjointed exhibition outings.
November will provide several key matchups for Michigan State in one of the toughest non-conference slates in the country.
Here’s how I see November playing out for MSU.
Game 1: vs. Colgate (Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. ET)
Colgate comes to town on Nov. 3 to kick off the 2025-26 season, and while it had a down 14-19 year last season, it’s known for being a solid mid-major. Michigan State will take care of business and shake off the rust, but Colgate unfortunately covers.
Prediction: Colgate 57, Michigan State 76 (1-0)
Game 2: vs. No. 14 Arkansas (Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. ET)
Darius Acuff, John Calipari, and Arkansas come to the Breslin Center on Nov. 8 for a Top 25 showdown that will grab the attention of college basketball fans everywhere. I think Jeremy Fears Jr. has one of his best defensive performances as a Spartan and Michigan State is able to hold on for a tight win against a team that I could see making a Final Four run this year.
Prediction: Arkansas 72, Michigan State 74 (2-0)
Game 3: vs. San Jose State (Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. ET)
Michigan State will get a slight break in tough matchups on Nov. 13 against a team that began last season 1-5 before going 15-19. San Jose State will be probably on par with Colgate, maybe slightly better, but I see the home Spartans maintaining momentum from that huge win over Arkansas five days earlier to beat the visiting Spartans. Coen Carr records a double-double in the fun win.
Prediction: San Jose State 61, Michigan State 80 (3-0)
Game 4: vs. No. 9 Kentucky (Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. ET)
The annual Champions Classic showdown takes place this season on Nov. 18 at Madison Square Garden, and the Spartans tip off the double-header at 6:30 p.m. ET followed by the Kansas vs. Duke game. Kentucky is going to give Michigan State’s defense some problems, and even though the Spartans play well enough to win, some wide-open missses down the stretch keep them from capturing the lead. Kentucky wins a thriller.
Prediction: Michigan State 68, Kentucky 72 (3-1)
Game 5: vs. Detroit Mercy (Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. ET)
Another break from elite opponents, Michigan State will come back home three days after its first loss of the season to face Detroit Mercy in East Lansing. This will have the feel of one of those sleepy efforts, but Izzo will rip into the guys at halftime and they’ll come out much more motivated, running away with a lopsided win.
Prediction: Detroit Mercy 51, Michigan State 82 (4-1)
Game 6: vs. East Carolina (Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. ET)
Michigan State will head down to Fort Myers, Fla., for the first leg of the Fort Myers Tip-Off against East Carolina. The Spartans should have no problem in this one, especially after letting out all their anger on Detroit Mercy just four days prior. Michigan State will take care of the Pirates in the Katin Houser Bowl thanks to some pesky defense and hot shooting from deep.
Prediction: East Carolina 63, Michigan State 77 (5-1)
Game 7: vs. No. 24 North Carolina (Nov. 27 at 4:30 p.m. ET)
The second leg of the Fort Myers Tip-Off event takes place on Thanksgiving, so as you’re stuffing your face with turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy, the Spartans will be facing their third, and final, Top 25 opponent of November. North Carolina and Michigan State played in a classic last season in Maui, so it’s only right that they play another one on Thanksgiving.
Prediction: Michigan State 82, North Carolina 80 (6-1)
Michigan State finishes the month of November with a 6-1 record and a couple of wins over ranked opponents to build that early-season resume. I could also see 5-2, but I do think Michigan State wins at least one of those early ranked games.