Non-conference games are already getting announced, building anticipation for the 2026-27 college basketball season nearly eight months ahead of tip-off.
One game in particular, especially for the Michigan State Spartans, is already garnering a lot of excitement.
The Sparties are set to visit none other than the Tennessee Volunteers on their home court, with a showdown between the two powerhouse programs in Knoxville.
For the first time in more than a decade and a half, the Sparties and the Vols will (officially) share a court, the last meeting taking place in the 2010 Elite Eight when Michigan State edged out a 70-69 victory to send Tennessee packing.
Tom Izzo and Michigan State to clash wth Tennessee and Rick Barnes
Of course, back in 2010, the Vols were coached by none other than Bruce Pearl, who has since gone on to make quite the name for himself in the SEC...
It wasn't until 2015 that former Texas Longhorns head coach Rick Barnes took over the Tennessee men's basketball program.
However, it was Tom Izzo leading the Spartans in their Elite Eight charge against the Vols, the Michigan State head coach taking over the program over three decades ago in 1995.
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While the last time these two met wasn't a matchup between the two current head coaches, Barnes and Izzo are far from strangers. When Barnes was still at Texas, he faced Izzo and the Spartans on seven different occasions.
Rick Barnes vs. Tom Izzo coaching history
- November 16, 2006 - Texas, 63-61
- December 22, 2007 - Michigan State, 78-72
- Dec. 20, 2008 - Michigan State, 67-63
- Dec. 22, 2009 - Texas, 79-68
- Dec. 22, 2010 - Texas, 67-55
- Dec. 22, 2012 - Michigan State, 67-56
- Dec. 21, 2013 - Michigan State, 92-78
In those seven meetings, the Spartans walked away with four victories, claiming the two most recent games where Izzo has coached down the sideline from Barnes.
The date and time are yet to be announced for the non-conference game between Tennessee and Michigan State, but it will undeniably be a meeting of two incredible forces, and fans on both sides of the aisle should be excited.
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