When the calendar flips to December 19, 2026, basketball fans in the Southwest will turn their eyes to Palm Desert, California, where Michigan State and Gonzaga are slated to meet in a rare doubleheader that spans both the men’s and women’s programs.
The event is part of the Acrisure Series, a showcase made possible by the fintech firm Acrisure, whose chief executive, Greg Williams, has become a familiar name in East Lansing. Williams and his wife Dawn have pledged more than $400 million to Michigan State athletics, a commitment that includes a $100 million stake in Spartan Ventures and a leadership role in the arena that bears their name.
A New Chapter in Non‑Conference Basketball
Tom Izzo, the longtime Spartans coach, has spoken openly about the Williams family’s influence, noting that their presence in the arena’s leadership group reflects a shared vision for the program. Across the court, Mark Few, who has guided Gonzaga to a storied career of 772 wins, will bring his Bulldogs into the mix, a matchup that Izzo says was made easier by the mutual respect between the two coaches.
Both teams arrive with momentum. The Michigan State men’s squad reached the Sweet 16 last season before falling to UConn, while the Gonzaga men’s team exited in the second round against Texas. On the women’s side, Robyn Fralick’s Spartans have celebrated back‑to‑back tournament wins for the first time since 2013‑14, and the Bulldogs’ recent first‑round exit to Ole Miss underscores the competitive landscape.
Beyond this single doubleheader, the schedule hints at a broader non‑conference slate that includes games against Duke, Arkansas and a road trip to Tennessee, suggesting a strategic push to test the Spartans against elite competition. For Gonzaga, the series adds another marquee opponent to a résumé that already boasts a string of NCAA appearances.