​College basketball fans may have just received another holiday treat a week before Christmas. According to USA TODAY’s Palm Springs Desert Sun report, Michigan State will travel to Southern California on December 19 to take on Gonzaga in a high-profile Big Ten versus Pac-12 showdown. The event will feature not only the men’s teams, but also a women’s matchup between the Spartans and the Bulldogs, both slated to take place at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs before the men’s game begins. The tip for the men’s contest is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
This clash could double as a taste of what’s to come in March, given Michigan State’s streak of 28 straight NCAA tournament appearances and Gonzaga’s 27 straight appearances in the NCAA tournament. The teams last met in November 2022 on an aircraft carrier, a game in which Gonzaga narrowly defeated Michigan State 64-63 on a free throw by Drew Timme.
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This report originally appeared on College Sports Wire and covers Michigan State’s upcoming heavyweight non-conference battle with Gonzaga, highlighting its potential impact on SEO and the broader college basketball landscape.