Michigan State Basketball Prepares for Exhibition Game Against Hillsdale

EAST LANSING — Tom Izzo and the Michigan State basketball program have been granted their wish to work with their teams during the summer months, and now it’s time to put that hard work into action. The Spartans are set to play their first exhibition game against Hillsdale on Wednesday, marking the start of a highly-anticipated new season.

No. 4 MSU is eager to face new competition after a summer filled with intense practices. The team started their workouts on September 25, earlier than previous years. This early start has allowed them to fine-tune their skills and develop chemistry as a team.

The game against Hillsdale, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will take place at the Breslin Center and can be streamed on BTN+. Fans are excited to see what the Spartans have in store for them this season.

During their recent intrasquad scrimmage, fans got a taste of what MSU has been working on. The Spartans showcased their strengths, including A.J. Hoggard’s attacking style, Tyson Walker’s sharp shooting, and Jaden Akins’ highlight-reel dunks. The newcomers also made an impression, with Jeremy Fears Jr. making well-timed passes and aggressive drives, Gehrig Normand draining three-pointers, and Xavier Booker displaying his shot-blocking skills.

Coach Izzo was pleased with the scrimmage, noting the team’s good ball movement, shooting, and conditioning. However, he knows that the real test lies ahead when they start playing against other teams. He emphasized the importance of not getting complacent and maintaining focus.

The exhibition game against Hillsdale is seen as a steppingstone towards the Spartans’ matchup against No. 10 Tennessee. While the Tennessee game is considered an exhibition as well, Izzo wants his team to approach every game with the same level of focus and intensity.

Hillsdale is known for being a competitive and well-coached team, which will provide a good challenge for the Spartans. This game will also be the first time they play in front of a crowd, adding an extra layer of excitement and pressure.

Following the Hillsdale game, the Spartans will face James Madison in their regular-season opener on November 6. But for now, all eyes are on the exhibition game and the opportunity it presents for the team to showcase their skills.

Michigan State basketball is ready to take the court and give their all, regardless of the opponent. The hard work and preparation done over the summer months will finally be put to the test, and fans can’t wait to see what this season has in store.

Contact Chris Solari: [email protected]. Follow him @chrissolari. Read more on the Michigan State Spartans and sign up for our Spartans newsletter.Subscribe to the “Spartan Speak” podcast for new episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.

For (Exhibition) Openers: Chargers

Matchup: No. 4 Michigan State (21-13 in 2022-23) vs. Division II Hillsdale (23-7), exhibition.

Tipoff: 7 p.m. Wednesday; Spartan Stadium, East Lansing.

TV/Radio: BTN-plus (online-only); no radio.

Regular-season opener: James Madison; 8:30 p.m. Nov. 6; BTN.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State basketball finally gets new competition with exhibition

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