Tom Izzo reacts to Michigan State losing to UNC in NCAA Tournament
Tom Izzo says MSU didn’t give up, but ‘got beat by a really good team’ in UNC at NCAA Tournament
After dealing with sky-high expectations to start last year and ultimately disappointing, Michigan State basketball starts a new campaign under head coach Tom Izzo unranked in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
In a way, being unranked may be a bit of a relief for a Spartans squad that was ranked in the top 5 to start last season but finished 20-15 and was beaten by North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The season wasn’t a total disaster as Izzo extended his record-breaking NCAA tournament streak and the Spartans beat Mississippi State in the first round, but the group never gelled and with the departure of some of the key members of last year’s squad, it feels like a good opportunity for MSU to turn a new leaf in Year 30 under Izzo.
After years of fans calling for it, Izzo and his staff dipped into the transfer portal to add two players who started in MSU’s exhibition games. Frankie Fidler comes to MSU after spending three seasons playing for Omaha. Fidler averaged 20.1 points and 6.3 assists per game with Omaha and should give the Spartans a scoring boost on the wing. Michigan State also added big man Szymon Zapala after Mady Sissoko left in the transfer portal and so far the 6-foot-11 center looks like an upgrade on the offensive side.
Here’s how to watch the Spartans’ game against Monmouth:
What channel is Michigan State vs. Monmouth on today?
- TV channel: None.
- Stream: BTN+ (online only).
The Spartans will face Monmouth in a game that is not on TV but is available to watch by signing up for BTN+. According to MSU basketball’s schedule online, this is the last game this year that will be on BTN+.
Michigan State vs. Monmouth start time
- Date: Monday, Nov. 4
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Breslin Center, East Lansing.
The Spartans open their season with a 7 p.m. start at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The Spartans lost last year’s season opener to James Madison, 79-76, in a stunner and will be looking to avoid that same fate against a Monmouth squad that went 18-15 last season.
Michigan State basketball schedule 2024-25
Below is the early portion of Michigan State’s 2024-25 basketball schedule. Find the Spartans’ full 2024-25 schedule here.
| Date | Opponent |
| Monday, Nov. 4 | vs. Monmouth |
| Thursday, Nov. 7 | vs. Niagra |
| Tuesday, Nov. 12 | vs. Kansas (Champions Classic in Atlanta) |
| Saturday, Nov. 16 | vs. Bowling Green |
| Tuesday, Nov. 19 | vs. Samford |
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