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Rugged nonconference slate kicks off MSU hoops schedule

The names and faces sometimes change, but under coach Tom Izzo, Michigan State’s basketball schedule has a familiar tone from season to season.

For the Spartans, that means playing some of the top teams in the nation in non-conference play followed by a typically daunting Big Ten slate, one that gets tougher for every team this season as the teams will now play 20 conference games.

Heading into the 2018-19 season, Michigan State has the requisite big-time matchups, including the season opener against Kansas as part of the Champions Classic on Nov. 6 in Indianapolis. The Spartans also take on UCLA on Nov.