Just when we thought that Michigan State would finally rid itself of having to face Wisconsin star John Blackwell after he transferred from the Badgers, he joins a team on the Spartans’ already-loaded 2026-27 non-conference schedule.
For years, Blackwell has been a thorn in Tom Izzo’s side, but even after leaving the Big Ten rival, he’s going to continue to haunt the Spartans.
And he’ll do so early in the 2026-27 season.
According to Joe Tipton, Duke just landed one of the nation’s top transfers as Blackwell joins a program that will almost undoubtedly be in the top three to start the season.
Duke also just so happens to be Michigan State’s Champions Classic opponent in November.
For a team that’s also facing Arkansas and Gonzaga, this is going to add to one of the most difficult non-conference slates in college basketball. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
John Blackwell has been haunting Tom Izzo for years
Izzo said it after Michigan State’s loss to Wisconsin this past winter: he regrets not recruiting Blackwell harder when he was a Michigan high school recruit.
Unfortunately, he’s going to have to regret that twice now because Blackwell re-entered the market a couple of weeks ago and Izzo opted not to take a look at him as to not cause any attrition to his current roster. He had a full backcourt and didn’t need to force someone to transfer to make room for Blackwell.
An honorable move, but it backfired a little bit. While the fact that he’s leaving the Big Ten is best-case scenario, he’s also going to a team on Michigan State’s schedule.
The last three times Blackwell has faced Michigan State, he’s 2-1 with an average of 18 points per game. Izzo needs to make that 2-2 this year.
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