Tom Izzo has been good about rewarding loyal Michigan State fans over the years. He’s rewarded them with cool events like playing on a carrier ship or participating in the annual Champions Classic or just making Final Fours more than any program in the past 2.5 decades.
The Hall of Famer loves Spartan fans, and they love him back.
So when the Spartans announced an early exhibition game against Incarnate Word on Oct. 2, it felt like another gift from the legendary head coach. Michigan State already had exhibitions planned against UConn and Marquette, but this Incarnate Word scrimmage would come earlier than any that the Spartans had played in under Izzo.
What a gift.
No gift is 100 percent free these days, however. No, I’m not talking about the price of admission because it’s limited to Izzone Campout attendees as well as 2026-27 season ticket holders. Rather, I’m talking about what the cost of having a cool event like this during the annual Izzone Campout is.
It’s going to cost fans Midnight Madness.
Michigan State confirmed that on Wednesday with the announcement of an autograph session for fans on Oct. 10 at Munn Field. That wouldn’t happen unless there was no Midnight Madness event for autograph purposes.
This effectively replaces midnight madness this year, with the exhibition on Friday during the Izzone campout. https://t.co/vqYAAHJ2k4
— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) September 30, 2026
It should have been a dead giveaway when the scrimmage was announced because the press release stated that the women’s basketball team would also be introduced at the event.
So I guess we can say goodbye to predicting what costume Izzo is going to come out in — at least for this year. It’s definitely disappointing to not have Midnight Madness because it’s a cool event that’s free to the public and the team and players usually have a really good time with it — it’s a perfect way to connect each year’s team with the fanbase.
However, I will say that holding this event during the Izzone Campout is a really cool idea that I wish they had thought of when I was still a student.
Hey, a Michigan State basketball game is better than nothing
While it does stink to have to give up Midnight Madness this season for the Incarnate Word scrimmage that most of us cannot even attend, it’ll be a cool event for season ticket holders and fans will get to watch it live on BTN+.
Although Midnight Madness is one of the best events of the year for the staff, players, fans, and recruits, a scrimmage is a lot better than nothing.
If getting an early look at one of the deepest teams in the Izzo era means that we will have to cancel Midnight Madness this year, I’m sure a lot of fans will be OK with the trade-off.
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