Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

Tom Izzo, MSU hoops finalizing deal to play Big 12 power, per report

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Tom Izzo traditionally lines up a grueling nonconference schedule for Michigan State basketball, and it looks like the 2023-24 season will be no different for the Spartans.

Already, Michigan State has confirmed a Thanksgiving trip to Palm Springs for a major showdown with Arizona out of the Pac-12. As of Tuesday, the Spartans are also finalizing another neutral-site matchup with a major Big 12 program.

According to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, Michigan State is in the process of finalizing an agreement to play Baylor in Detroit. If agreed to, the game would be placed on Dec. 16 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Tony Paul with The Detroit News first reported “rumblings” about discussions between the two teams Monday night. Nothing has been made official as of this point.

Potential opponent

Baylor has been one of the most consistent programs in the country under longtime head coach Scott Drew. The Bears won the national championship for the 2020-21 season and finished 11th on the final AP Poll a season ago. The Bears have 23+ wins 7 times in the past 10 years.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.