Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Christopher McAuliffe
Spartans Welcome Media for On-Campus Media Day
10/16/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
East Lansing, Mich. – After two weeks of official practice and one exhibition game, Michigan State's men's basketball team hosted its annual on-campus media day on Thursday afternoon at the Breslin Center.
Head Coach Tom Izzo welcomed a large contingent of media members during his opening statements and took questions for more than an hour before player availability.
"Well, believe it or not, it's good to see you all again," Izzo said. "It's been a long summer, pretty good summer, and an exciting year, I hope. Can't believe it's already opening up, but I am excited to be back for the new season, get it underway. Between the summer and the start of practice, we've been through a lot together. We've had some injuries this summer – some small injuries, thank God nothing real big.
"My biggest concern right now is not who we are, even though that's a big concern, but who the other teams are. I think that's been the hardest thing: trying to figure out where you are compared to who you've got to play. That's always important as far as expectations getting too out of control, which they will get out of control because we have one of the teams that's a good team, and we all know the Final Four is in Detroit. And yet that has nothing to do with anything in the big picture when you haven't played an exhibition game yet.
"We've already played one exhibition game, and we were okay. I thought our young guys really looked young the first time we put them in. Subbing by hockey lines is sometimes what I do, especially in the first exhibition game. It's not necessarily great for anybody, meaning our players – other than to get the definite opportunity to play. It's not great, though, having a bunch of freshmen in there without some juniors and seniors to show them the way. So, we'll probably mix and match a little bit more in the game coming up.
"The game coming up is UConn, who was in everybody's top five or ten. Like last year, it'll be a good test for us. The problem now when you're playing these big exhibition games is you have to figure out what exhibition games are really for – to see what you have, to see how your team improved, to see what guys fit with what guys, to mix up the lineups, see who's improved, and get an idea."
Michigan State's players met with the media in the Tom Izzo Hall of History during a 60-minute session before practice at 3 p.m.
Michigan State finished the 2025-26 season with a 27-8 overall record, including a 15-5 record in the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the 17th time under Head Coach Tom Izzo.
Michigan State played the first of three exhibition games on Friday, Oct. 2, beating the University of Incarnate Word, 89-59, in the Izzone Campout Game. MSU's exhibition schedule will continue on Tuesday, Oct. 20, hosting UConn at the Breslin Center (7 p.m., B1G+).
With the 2026-27 schedule now set, there's no better time to secure your place at the Breslin Center for another season of Spartan Basketball. A limited number of season tickets remain available, giving fans the opportunity to experience every home game and help create the energy and home-court advantage that makes the Breslin Center special. Secure your season tickets HERE - https://msuspartans.evenue.net/events/BST - and be a part of the action all season long as the Spartans take the floor.
Head Coach Tom Izzo welcomed a large contingent of media members during his opening statements and took questions for more than an hour before player availability.
"Well, believe it or not, it's good to see you all again," Izzo said. "It's been a long summer, pretty good summer, and an exciting year, I hope. Can't believe it's already opening up, but I am excited to be back for the new season, get it underway. Between the summer and the start of practice, we've been through a lot together. We've had some injuries this summer – some small injuries, thank God nothing real big.
"My biggest concern right now is not who we are, even though that's a big concern, but who the other teams are. I think that's been the hardest thing: trying to figure out where you are compared to who you've got to play. That's always important as far as expectations getting too out of control, which they will get out of control because we have one of the teams that's a good team, and we all know the Final Four is in Detroit. And yet that has nothing to do with anything in the big picture when you haven't played an exhibition game yet.
"We've already played one exhibition game, and we were okay. I thought our young guys really looked young the first time we put them in. Subbing by hockey lines is sometimes what I do, especially in the first exhibition game. It's not necessarily great for anybody, meaning our players – other than to get the definite opportunity to play. It's not great, though, having a bunch of freshmen in there without some juniors and seniors to show them the way. So, we'll probably mix and match a little bit more in the game coming up.
"The game coming up is UConn, who was in everybody's top five or ten. Like last year, it'll be a good test for us. The problem now when you're playing these big exhibition games is you have to figure out what exhibition games are really for – to see what you have, to see how your team improved, to see what guys fit with what guys, to mix up the lineups, see who's improved, and get an idea."
Michigan State's players met with the media in the Tom Izzo Hall of History during a 60-minute session before practice at 3 p.m.
Michigan State finished the 2025-26 season with a 27-8 overall record, including a 15-5 record in the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the 17th time under Head Coach Tom Izzo.
Michigan State played the first of three exhibition games on Friday, Oct. 2, beating the University of Incarnate Word, 89-59, in the Izzone Campout Game. MSU's exhibition schedule will continue on Tuesday, Oct. 20, hosting UConn at the Breslin Center (7 p.m., B1G+).
With the 2026-27 schedule now set, there's no better time to secure your place at the Breslin Center for another season of Spartan Basketball. A limited number of season tickets remain available, giving fans the opportunity to experience every home game and help create the energy and home-court advantage that makes the Breslin Center special. Secure your season tickets HERE - https://msuspartans.evenue.net/events/BST - and be a part of the action all season long as the Spartans take the floor.
Thursday, October 15
Friday, October 02
Tuesday, September 22
Monday, March 23