Tum Tum Nairn will return to East Lansing as a Michigan State basketball opponent

Michigan State basketball is one of the few programs across the country that is yet to release their 2024-25 basketball schedule. However, a few of the games have been announced and we once again found out another opponent for MSU this season on Monday.

And this one is exciting as a former Spartan star will be making his return as a coach of the visiting team.

According to college basketball analyst Rocco Miller, Michigan State will play Bowling Green during its non-conference schedule this year. The game will be on Nov. 16 at the Breslin Center.

While Bowling Green isn't an exciting opponent by any means, it very well could be the most exciting non-conference game at the Breslin Center this season. That is because none other than Tum Tum Nairn Jr. is an assistant coach for Bowling Green.

Nairn quickly got involved in coaching after his playing career at Michigan State ended in 2017. In 2019 he joined the Phoenix Suns in their front office in a player development role before becoming a head coach at Sunrise Christian Academy in 2021. From there he moved to Southern Utah as an assistant coach in 2022 before taking the same position at Bowling Green in 2023. Now heading into the 2024-25 season, Nairn was promoted to associate head coach for Bowling Green.

On top of his successful coaching career, Nairn has continued playing basketball for the Bahamas. Nairn and the Bahamas came one win short of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but he still made Olympic history during their semifinal qualification matchup.

I unfortunately am not able to make it to many games in person anymore, but this feels like one that is a must to attend. Nairn is one of the all time favorite Spartans of this fanbase, not only because of the player he was but because of the leader and person he is. His quick rise in the coaching ranks is a testament to that.

I know without a doubt that he will get a massive warm welcome from the Breslin Center crowd and Tom Izzo himself during this game. And who knows, maybe this won't be the last time we see Nairn coach a game at the Breslin Center as many have listed him as a potential replacement for Izzo in the future.