​EAST LANSING — A schedule chock full of big matchups is now finalized for Michigan State.Michigan State announced its full men’s basketball schedule Tuesday, Sept. 22, the week following the announcement of its Big Ten slate. Key matchups include games against Arkansas, Tennessee and Duke, as well as Gonzaga.The schedule included a 12th and previously unreleased nonconference game against Northern Iowa now official on Nov. 13. The Spartans played Northern Iowa (alma mater of Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley) once before. That game was in the 2010 Sweet 16, and MSU won 59-52 on its way to the Final Four, where it lost against Butler. Coached by Kyle Green, the Panthers made the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time since 2016 and lost to St. John’s.Tom Izzo likes to prepare his best teams with trials by fire. This season’s schedule is only the latest example for his team coming off a 27-8 run to the Sweet 16 this past March.The Spartans play Duke at Chicago’s United Center on Nov. 10 for the Champions Classic, then travel down to Knoxville to play Tennessee on Nov. 17. Arkansas comes to Little Caesars Arena to play MSU on Thanksgiving, and the Spartans travel to Palm Desert, California, for a men’s and women’s series against Gonzaga at Acrisure Arena on Dec. 19.Izzo’s squad will take the court for his 32nd season as head coach when Incarnate Word comes to Breslin Center for an Oct. 2 exhibition, which coincides with the Izzone Campout. The game is exclusive to campout ticketholders and season ticketholders. Michigan State also plays exhibitions against UConn (Oct. 20) and Marquette (Oct. 25).2026-2027 schedule is SET 🗓️ https://t.co/zFMPmdbUpqpic.twitter.com/WfeR9tRWK6— Michigan State Men’s Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) September 22, 2026Michigan State’s Big Ten schedule begins Dec. 2 against Minnesota at home and Dec. 9 at Maryland before the Spartans round out the nonconference slate in 2026. In the new year, the Spartans resume conference play at Nebraska on Jan. 2 — one year to the day that Nebraska fans stormed the court on MSU after a late Spartans rally fell short. The rest of MSU’s schedule is highlighted by games against Illinois at State Farm Center on Feb. 5, Michigan at Crisler Center on Feb. 13 and Breslin Center on Feb. 26. Those three games could be major matchups in the race for a Big Ten title, which MSU is thought to be in the hunt for with a roster including All-American point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. and a strong crop of returners including dunk artist Coen Carr and freshman phenoms Cam Ward and Jordan Scott.Michigan State men’s basketball 2026-27 scheduleOct. 2 vs. Incarnate Word (ex.)Oct. 20 vs. UConn (ex.)Oct. 25 at Marquette (ex.)Nov. 2 vs. QuinnipiacNov. 5 vs. ToledoNov. 10 vs. Duke in Champions Classic (Chicago)Nov. 13 vs. Northern IowaNov. 17 at TennesseeNov. 21 vs. Detroit MercyNov. 26 vs. Arkansas (Little Caesars Arena)Dec. 2 vs. MinnesotaDec. 5 vs. DrakeDec. 9 at MarylandDec. 12 vs. Merrimac