So, you’re trying to figure out when to clear your schedule for Tom Izzo’s squad? I get it. Being a Spartans fan is basically a full-time job, especially once January hits and the Big Ten grind really starts to chew through the calendar. Honestly, keeping track of tip-off times and whether a game is on Peacock, FS1, or actual local TV is a nightmare these days.
Right now, the Spartans are in the thick of it. Coming off a massive 81-60 win against Indiana just a couple of days ago—where Jeremy Fears Jr. absolutely went off for 23 points—the momentum is real. But if you’re looking for the immediate answer to when does Michigan State play basketball, mark your calendar for this Saturday.
The Immediate Slate: Where the Spartans Head Next
Michigan State is currently packing their bags for a West Coast swing. It’s the new reality of the Big Ten, right? Flying over several time zones just to play a "conference" game.
On Saturday, January 17, 2026, Michigan State takes on the Washington Huskies. This one is a road game at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM PST (that’s 6:00 PM for those of us back in East Lansing).
They don't get much of a break after that. Just three days later, on Tuesday, January 20, they’ll be in Eugene to face the Oregon Ducks at 9:00 PM ET. It’s a late one, so maybe brew an extra pot of coffee if you’re planning to watch the whole thing.
When Does Michigan State Play Basketball at Home?
If you're looking to actually get to the Breslin Center and feel the Izzone energy in person, you've got a bit of a wait while the team finishes this road trip. The next time the green and white hit the floor in East Lansing is Saturday, January 24, 2026, against the Maryland Terrapins.
That Maryland game is actually a noon tip-off (12:00 PM ET), making it a perfect Saturday afternoon hang.
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Following that, the schedule gets spicy. We’re talking about the game everyone circles in red ink. Michigan comes to town on Friday, January 30, 2026. It’s an 8:00 PM ET start. There is nothing quite like a Friday night at the Breslin when the Wolverines are in the building. The atmosphere is usually bordering on nuclear.
Late January and February 2026 Home Games
- Jan 24: vs. Maryland (12:00 PM ET)
- Jan 30: vs. Michigan (8:00 PM ET)
- Feb 7: vs. Illinois (8:00 PM ET)
- Feb 17: vs. UCLA (8:30 PM ET)
- Feb 22: vs. Ohio State (1:00 PM ET)
Television and How to Actually Watch
Streaming has kinda ruined the simplicity of being a sports fan. You can’t just flip to Channel 6 and expect the game to be there every time. For the 2025-26 season, the Big Ten’s media deal is spread across a few different platforms.
The upcoming Washington game is looking like a Big Ten Network (BTN) broadcast, but keep an eye on your service provider. A few of the bigger matchups later in the season, like the UCLA game on February 17, are exclusively on Peacock. If you don’t have a login for that, you might want to borrow one from a cousin or finally cave and get the subscription.
CBS still holds onto those high-profile weekend slots. You’ll find the Spartans on CBS for the Ohio State game on February 22 and the regular-season finale against Michigan on March 8.
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Why This Stretch Matters
Honestly, the January-February stretch is where Izzo teams either find their soul or start sweating the Bubble. This year feels a bit different. After that 19-0 run they put on Indiana, the chemistry between Fears Jr. and Jaxon Kohler looks elite. Kohler’s rebounding has been a godsend, especially in a league that still values size in the paint.
The defense is holding teams to low percentages, but the road games in Seattle and Eugene will be the true litmus test. Can they travel? Can they handle a hostile environment 2,000 miles from home and still execute that transition offense?
The Big Ten is crowded this year. Purdue is still Purdue, and Michigan is looking much more dangerous than they have in recent years. Dropping a "winnable" game against Maryland or Rutgers could be the difference between a 4-seed and an 8-seed in the Big Ten Tournament come March.
Looking Ahead to the Postseason
Speaking of March, the Big Ten Tournament is heading back to the United Center in Chicago this year. It runs from March 10 to March 15, 2026.
Because the conference expanded, the format is a bit of a marathon now. The bottom seeds start playing on Tuesday, which is a death sentence if you’re trying to win the whole thing. Michigan State’s goal is clearly to secure a top-four seed to get that double-bye into Friday’s quarterfinals.
Your Actionable Fan Plan
To stay on top of the schedule without losing your mind, here is what you should do:
- Sync your digital calendar. Don't rely on memory. The official MSU Athletics site has a "Sync to Calendar" feature that automatically updates for time changes (which happen constantly due to TV slots).
- Check the platform 24 hours early. Nothing is worse than realizing at 7:59 PM that the game is on Peacock and you haven't updated the app.
- Monitor the injury report. With a heavy road schedule, depth is everything. Watch for updates on the rotation, especially how Izzo manages the minutes of the freshmen during this West Coast trip.
- Secure tickets for the Rutgers finale. The home finale is March 5 against Rutgers. It's usually Senior Night, and tickets for that are often cheaper than the Michigan or Ohio State games if you buy them a few weeks out.
The Spartans are currently 16-1 or thereabouts depending on the week's results, and they are playing some of the best basketball we've seen in East Lansing in half a decade. Stay tuned, because this February is going to be a wild ride.