Tom Izzo has been chasing the white whale since the 2000-01 season. Michigan State has maintained basketball excellence during his storied coaching career but a second national championship has proven elusive.

Izzo and the No. 22 Spartans are back on the mission to capture that championship trophy in the 2025-26 season opener against Colgate on Nov. 3 at East Lansing, Mich.

A typical Michigan State schedule skips the soft open with preseason Top 25 foes on tap in No. 14 Arkansas (Nov. 8) in East Lansing before a neutral court matchup with No. 9 Kentucky on Nov. 18 at Madison Square Garden.

"It's finally here. It's a long summer for these guys," Izzo said. "I don't know who's got what. That's kind of determined over the next couple weeks."

Michigan State won 30 games last season and was

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