Year in and year out, Tom Izzo does his best to field the best roster that he can, ensuring that he has the guys necessary for another deep March run. He usually tests his Michigan State teams every year with an intense non-conference slate that features 2-3 top-10 caliber teams.
Often times, you can tell if his teams are ready for those kinds of opponents. If the Spartans struggle, you know it’s going to be a long year — but at least they’ll be battle-tested, right?
Next season, however, Izzo has scheduled arguably his toughest non-conference gauntlet to date. Instead of the usual 2-3 potential top-10 opponents, Izzo is in the process of adding at least four to the regular-season schedule and another (UConn) in exhibition play. The Spartans are likely to face five preseason top-15 teams by the time Big Ten play begins.
Not many teams are doing that.
But with Duke, Arkansas, Gonzaga, Tennessee, and UConn on the non-conference schedule, one question begs to be answered: is Michigan State built for this?
Short answer: yes. Now it’s time for the long answer.
Tom Izzo will have his most talented roster in years
It feels like we said this two years ago, but this upcoming season’s roster will contend with just about any Michigan State team since Cassius Winston graduated — and I’m taking this roster over the field.
So, yes, the short answer is that Michigan State is absolutely built for that gauntlet.
The long answer? Well, if you gave me enough time, I’d be able to lay out about 100 reasons why Michigan State isn’t just built for this gauntlet, but it’s going to come out looking a lot better after those four games than people expect. I’m sure everyone’s ready to say Michigan State is going 2-2, at best, in those four contests, but I’m going with 3-1. The Spartans are getting revenge on a loaded Duke team in the Champions Classic — trust.
Michigan State has a backcourt that will be five players deep and a group of wings that can threaten defenses from the perimeter as well as slashing down the lane. The Spartans also added a 7-foot-2 center which is exactly what they needed in the portal, they bring in a top-five recruiting class, they have the best point guard in the country, the best athlete in the world, and talented transfer Kaleb Glenn returns from injury. This team is more than ready.
If anything, these games are only going to make the freshman class even stronger come Big Ten play because they’ll have a good idea of what to expect.
Izzo didn’t spend a ton of money in the transfer portal like fans were hoping, but that doesn’t mean he’s mailing it in. He has a team capable of winning it all, and this early-season gauntlet is only going to battle-hardened the Spartans come March.
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