Michigan State University’s men’s basketball team is set to kick off the 2025-26 season with an exhibition game against Bowling Green. This matchup occurs on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Breslin Center, starting at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on B1G+, featuring commentators Kyle Keegan, Charlie Schmidgall, and Charlotte Terback. Fans can also tune in to the Spartan Media Network with Will Tieman leading the radio play-by-play.
Spartan Season Overview
Last year, Michigan State concluded its 2024-25 season with an impressive 30-7 overall record. The team posted a stellar 17-3 in Big Ten Conference play, securing the regular season championship by three games. Under the guidance of Head Coach Tom Izzo, who is entering his 31st season, the Spartans reached the NCAA Tournament for the 27th consecutive year, making it to the Elite Eight.
Key Player Departures
The Spartans are facing the challenge of replacing three starters and four key players who contributed significantly to the team’s scoring, rebounding, and assists last season. Notable departures include guards Jaden Akins and Jase Richardson, both recognized in the All-Big Ten Third Team.
Returning Talent
Despite these losses, the Spartans retain notable talents such as:
- Jaxon Kohler: Senior forward, 7.8 points per game (ppg), 7.5 rebounds per game (rpg).
- Jeremy Fears Jr.: Redshirt sophomore point guard, 7.2 ppg, third in Big Ten in assists (5.4 apg).
- Coen Carr: Junior forward, 8.1 ppg, recognized for his athleticism.
- Carson Cooper: Senior center, 5.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg.
- Kur Teng: Sophomore guard, anticipated to play a crucial role.
- Jesse McCulluch: Redshirt freshman forward, part of the previous season’s scout team.
New Additions
This offseason, the Spartans welcomed four transfers:
- Trey Fort: Senior guard from Samford, averaged 14.6 ppg.
- Kaleb Glenn: Junior forward from Florida Atlantic, expected to miss the season due to injury.
- Divine Ugochukwu: Sophomore guard from Miami, averaged 5.3 ppg.
- Denham Wojcik: Graduate guard from Harvard, son of assistant coach Doug Wojcik.
Freshman Class Highlights
The Spartans also welcome three freshmen, including:
- Jordan Scott: Forward from Virginia, recognized for his leading role in back-to-back state championships.
- Cam Ward: Forward from Maryland, the No. 50 prospect of 2025, known for his scoring prowess.
Upcoming Exhibition Matches
Following the game against Bowling Green, Michigan State will play its second exhibition against Connecticut on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Historically, the Spartans often schedule exhibition games.
This season marks a return to exhibition contests against Division I teams, contrasting with recent years where they mostly faced in-state colleges. The Spartans look to build momentum as they prepare for a competitive season ahead.
