Michigan State's men's and women's basketball teams marked the official start of the 2024-25 season with the annual MSU Madness on Friday night.
The Spartans' annual event celebrates the start of the college basketball season for both teams.
For the first time, Spartan fans started their night with Michigan State Madness, then headed outside to watch the MSU football game at Oregon and then the annual Izzone campout out was held.
Doors to the Breslin Center opened at 6 p.m. and fans lined up to get the new 2024-25 team posters. Players and coaches for both teams were available for autographs and pictures before MSU Madness.
The night began with performances from the MSU Drumline, Spartan Dance and Cheerleading teams and the Spartan Marching Band.
The women's team and Head Coach Robyn Fralick were announced first, followed by the men's team and Head Coach Tom Izzo.
In a surprise to Coach Izzo, his long-time friend Steve Mariucci – who was a classmate of his at Northern Michigan University – had a video to deliver the message that Izzo's alma mater was retiring his No. 10 jersey next weekend when the Spartans play an exhibition game in Marquette, Mich.
The evening concluded with a 3-point shooting contest from the women, a dunk contest by the men's team and short scrimmages for both squad.
The Spartans will play a pair of exhibition games, starting on Oct. 13, when the Spartans visit Northern Michigan. This will be the first visit for Izzo to his alma mater to coach a game. Izzo was a 1977 graduate of Northern Michigan.
The second exhibition is slated for Oct. 29 against Ferris State at the Breslin Center.
Michigan State officially opens the 2024-25 regular season on Nov. 4, hosting Monmouth at the Breslin Center.
The Michigan State women's basketball team begins the 2024-25 season on Oct. 28, hosting Wayne State in an exhibition game. The Spartans open the regular season against Oakland on Nov. 5. Times will be announced at a later date.
This story originally appeared on msuspartans.com.
