Michigan State basketball will meet Marquette in an exhibition game on October 25 at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, with tip‑off set for 1 p.m. The matchup marks the first meeting between the two programs since the Spartans edged the Golden Eagles in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
A Historic Rivalry Revived
The game is part of a broader non‑conference schedule that also includes a Thanksgiving showdown with Arkansas at Little Caesars Arena, a road trip to Tennessee, a neutral‑site contest against Gonzaga in Palm Desert, California, and a appearance in the Champions Classic against Duke in Chicago.
Historically, the Spartans and the Golden Eagles have faced each other 56 times, with Michigan State holding a 33‑23 edge. The upcoming exhibition will be the first since the 2023 tournament victory, adding a fresh layer to a rivalry that dates back decades.
Coach Tom Izzo, who has guided Michigan State for more than three decades, is listed among the notable figures connected to the schedule, as is Shaka Smart, the architect of Marquette’s recent success. Their past encounters have added intrigue to the upcoming clash.
The exhibition games serve both as a warm‑up for the regular season and as a test of chemistry for teams that will also meet in the regular schedule later in the year. Michigan State’s itinerary reflects a deliberate effort to schedule high‑quality opponents that can prepare the squad for the rigors of Big Ten play.