Tom Izzo wasn’t kidding when he said anyone, any time, any place. Michigan State’s long-time head coach has been known to schedule the toughest non-conference games every year and the 2026-27 season is proving it will be no different.
The Spartans have had some of the toughest non-conference schedules every season dating back as far as I can remember, but the 2026-27 schedule might just top them all.
Michigan State already had teams like Gonzaga, Duke, Arkansas, and UConn in exhibition play on the 2026-27 schedule, but the Spartans just added another elite opponent to the slate.
According to Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes, his Volunteers will be taking on Michigan State in Knoxville next season. That’s going to be one heck of a tough road game in non-conference play that will undoubtedly have the Spartans ready for the hostile environments in Big Ten play as well as the NCAA Tournament. However, that wouldn’t be the case next year as the Final Four is in Detroit.
The 2026-27 schedule now looks like one of the toughest in the Izzo era with Arkansas, Duke, Gonzaga, and now Tennessee on the slate. Then there’s Illinois and Michigan in Big Ten play. The Spartans could legitimately play at least half of the preseason top-10 next season.
Tennessee might be one of the three toughest opponents on Michigan State’s schedule next season, following Duke and maybe Michigan or Illinois.
The Volunteers will be loaded.
Series history for Michigan State vs Tennessee
Would you believe it if I told you that Michigan State and Tennessee have only faced each other one time ever. Barnes and Izzo have seen each other before, but the current Tennessee head coach saw Michigan State more when he was at Texas.
The Spartans are 1-0 against Tennessee with a 70-69 Elite Eight win back in 2010 that sent Michigan State to another Final Four.
This will be just the second meeting ever between the two and the Volunteers have loaded up through the transfer portal this offseason so this is going to be a real chance for them to even the series up. Michigan State, too, is loaded and didn’t lose anyone unexpected this offseason while adding a 7-foot-2 transfer center with NBA aspirations and a top-five recruiting class.
This game in Knoxville should be a classic.
UPDATE: Reports are indicating the game will be in Nashville contrary to the original tweet.
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