Tom Izzo and Greg Kampe are a match made in basketball heaven. The Oakland and Michigan State basketball coaches have been facing each other almost every year since the 1999-2000 season in which the Spartans took home the national title.
It's only fitting that it continues until Izzo wins No. 2, right?
Well, luckily for Michigan State and Oakland hoops fans, the series has been renewed for three more years, including this season on Dec. 20 at Little Caesars Arena.
The next two matchups, according to Detroit News' Tony Paul, will be in East Lansing in 2026 and 2027.
Tom Izzo just won't quit Greg Kampe. MSU and Oakland are nearing an extension of their long-time basketball series -- it'll be for three more years, I'm told, covering 2025, '26 and '27. This year's game will be at LCA in Detroit on Dec. 20; '26 and '27 games at Breslin Center.
— Tony Paul | Detroit News (@TonyPaul1984) September 9, 2025
This is a series that has been fun for both program, but Michigan State has had the clear advantage, holding a 22-0 lead all time. The Spartans have had some close calls against the Grizzlies, but Izzo loves facing his friend in non-conference play every year, and it's usually a fun game.
Michigan State announced its non-conference schedule on Tuesday afternoon, and sure enough, the Oakland game will take place on Dec. 20 like Paul reported on Monday.
The Spartans have won this game by double figures every year for the past nine seasons. The last game that was decided by less than 10 points was the overtime thriller in 2015-16 in which the Spartans were able to hold on to beat Oakland, 99-93.
Michigan State will be facing the Grizzlies this year after facing a gauntlet during non-conference play against teams like Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Duke.
It's safe to say that Michigan State will be plenty battle-tested by this point.