EAST LANSING– Michigan State men’s basketball begins its 2025-26 campaign on Monday, welcoming the Colgate Raiders to the Breslin Center.
The Spartans split their two preseason exhibitions, with a win at home against Bowling Green and a tough road loss to the No. 4 UConn Huskies.
There was a lot left to be desired from Spartans head coach Tom Izzo, who was disappointed with what his team showed on defense and on the glass in the two preseason games.
The returning players are all expected to take a bigger role in the offense this season. Junior forward Coen Carr has taken a playmaking leap using his elite athleticism to open opportunities for himself and teammates.
Izzo has a great track record in home-openers during his time in East Lansing. However, the last time the Spartans entered the season ranked, they dropped the first game of the season to James Madison in 2023.
In the current state of college basketball each season comes with immense roster turnover. MSU needed to be active in the transfer portal this offseason in order to replace expected and unexpected departures.
Samford transfer, Sixth-year guard Trey Fort has been in a position battle with sophomore guard Kur Teng for the starting two-guard spot. Both players offer floor-spacing capabilities but lack defensive prowess. Teng got the starting nod in both exhibitions and is expected to start the season in the starting five alongside the four captains.
Scouting Colgate
The Raiders come off a subpar season for their standards as they finished 14-19 but slightly over .500 in conference play at 10-8. Colgate had dominated the Patriot League in years past, as they received the automatic NCAA Tournament bid four years in a row.
Colgate head coach Matt Langel is the winningest coach in program history and the only coach to ever win Patriot League Coach of the Year five times.
The Raiders are a young team, carrying 10 underclassmen on the roster. They will look to junior guard Jalen Cox, who is the squad’s highest returning scorer, he also led Colgate in steals and assists last season.
After a down year, expect the Raiders to make a statement in their season opener against the Spartans.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m at the Breslin Center, catch Impact’s own Joe Dez and Jack Stager on the call for Big Ten Plus.
