As we progress through the offseason, Michigan State basketball will continue to reveal more non-conference opponents. We already know about the Champions Classic, Duke, North Carolina, and Oakland, but now the Spartans have added another opponent.
According to the official X account of MSU hoops, the Spartans have determined another opponent.
Folks, get ready for the Katin Houser Classic against East Carolina.
The Spartans will face East Carolina on Nov. 25 as part of the Fort Meyers Tip-Off down in Florida and then two days later, they'll take on North Carolina on Thanksgiving Day.
While nothing is a given in college basketball nowadays (should I mention the James Madison game again?), this feels like a nice warm-up for the Spartans before facing North Carolina a couple of days later. East Carolina went 19-14 this past season and missed the NCAA Tournament. The Pirates played just one power conference opponent in South Carolina and lost by seven. They also faced two common opponents with the Spartans, losing to FAU twice and Memphis once.
East Carolina had a decent offense (130th in scoring), a mediocre defense (allowed nearly 74 points per game), rebounded at an above average clip (No. 96 in rebounds), but passed the ball poorly (No. 236 in assists). The Pirates also shot just 31.6% from deep.
Michigan State is replacing a good chunk of its Big Ten title-winning roster as Jaden Akins, Jase Richardson, Tre Holloman, Frankie Fidler, Szymon Zapala, Gehrig Normand, and Xavier Booker have all moved on, but there are some key returners back as well as a five-man incoming freshman and transfer class.
Winner gets Katin Houser?
The 2025-26 season cannot come soon enough.