Michigan State Basketball Kicks Off 2024-25 Season Against Monmouth: What to Expect

Michigan State University‘s men’s basketball team is set to kick off the 2024-25 season with a home game against Monmouth University on Monday, November 4. The Spartans, led by Coach Tom Izzo, are looking to bounce back from a disappointing start last season when they lost their opener to James Madison University in overtime.

Monmouth, who finished the previous season with an 18-15 record and a 10-8 mark in conference play, is not to be underestimated. The Hawks pulled off an upset against West Virginia in non-conference play last season, demonstrating their capability to challenge power conference teams.

The Spartans have had a mixed bag of results in their preseason games, including a trip to Spain and exhibition matches against Northern Michigan and Ferris State. Despite some concerns about the team’s performance, there is optimism about key players such as Jeremy Fears Jr., who is expected to have a strong game with around 10 assists and minimal turnovers.

Coen Carr, known for his dominance in the paint, is also anticipated to show growth in his mid-range game, potentially hitting a couple of mid-range shots and even attempting a three-pointer. This development could be a significant boost to the team’s offense.

The Spartans are also expected to showcase their improved three-point shooting, with players like Jase Richardson, Frankie Fidler, Xavier Booker, Jaden Akins, Tre Holloman, Kur Teng, and Jeremy Fears capable of filling it up from deep. The team is predicted to make 11 threes on 20 attempts, finishing at 55 percent from beyond the arc.

The game will be held at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan, with a tip-off time of 7 p.m. ET. While the game will not be televised, fans can watch it via the B1G+ live stream or listen on the Spartan Sports Network app or 760AM with Will Tieman).