Michigan State and Michigan have a fierce rivalry that transcends sports, so it should come as little surprise that there is no love lost between these two on the hardcourt. The two Big Ten Conference rivals first met in 1909 when the Spartans defeated the Wolverines 24-16, but Michigan holds an edge in the all-time series 90-80. The rivalry has heated up in the last decade with both teams being ranked in seven of their past 14 meetings. You’ll be in for a good game when the Spartans and Wolverines square off, so get your tickets today.
Michigan State Spartans Stadium Guide
In Game
The Breslin Center is home to one of the best student sections in the nation making a Spartans game a must attend for any college basketball fan out there. The Izzone is full of crazy die hard students who go all out to show their support for the team. No matter what the weather or opponent you’ll find Michigan State students lined up hours before the game.
Once inside the Breslin Center, the students create a truly one of a kind atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else. Unlike a lot of schools where the student section is at one end of the arena, the Izzone wraps around almost the entire lower level allowing the students to have a strong influence on the game. The support from the students over the years has helped make the Breslin Center one of the toughest place in the nation for opposing teams to play, so if you’re coming to support the visitors don’t expect a W.
In addition to the incredible Izzone, the Breslin Center also features several tributes to past Spartans greats. Hanging above the court, you’ll see banners celebrating MSU’s national championships and Final Four appearances as well as some of the best players in Spartans history including Magic Johnson. Another nice feature of the Breslin Center is the fact the Spartans play on the same court that they won their 2000 national championship on. There is even a plaque commemorating it, so if you arrive early, take a minute to check it out.
You’ll have an excellent time attending a Spartans basketball game at the Breslin Center where the raucous crowd makes it an unforgettable experience.
One of the coolest features of the Breslin Center is the fact that the court the Spartans play on is the one that they won their last national championship on. After their victory in 2000, the Spartans bought the court from the NCAA and installed it at the Breslin Center giving them a special court to play on.
Hanging from the rafters of the Breslin Center are banners honoring the best in Spartans history. The banners honor the 1979 and 2000 national championship winning teams as well as Spartans legends such as Magic Johnson and Morris Peterson, so make sure to check them out.
Izzone
The Izzone is named after Spartans head coach Tom Izzo and is one of the best student section in college basketball. The student section wraps around the lower bowl as well as the upper bowl and provides one of the most raucous atmospheres in college hoops. Enjoy the incredible atmosphere provided by the Michigan state students when attending a game at the Breslin Center.
The Spartans mascot, Sparty, is one of the most entertaining mascots in college sports. No matter what your age you’ll enjoy the antics of Sparty on game day, so keep your eyes peeled for him during the game.
Senior players at MSU kiss the floor as part of the Senior Day festivities. The tradition dates back to 1995 when Shawn Respert kissed the court and is still going strong today. Don’t miss Senior Day and your chance to see your favorite Spartan kiss the floor.
On the banks of the Red Cedar,
There’s a school that’s known to all;
Its specialty is winning,
And those Spartans play good ball;
Spartan teams are never beaten,
All through the game they fight;
Fight for the only colors:
Green and White.
Go right through for MSU,
Watch the points keep growing,
Spartan teams are bound to win,
They’re fighting with a vim!
Rah! Rah! Rah!
See their team is weakening,
We’re going to win this game,
Fight! Fight! Rah! Team, Fight!
Victory for MSU!
MSU Shadows (Alma Mater)
M.S.U., We love thy shadows,
when twilight silence falls,
flushing deep and softly paling,
o’er ivy-covered halls.
Beneath the pines we’ll gather,
to give our faith so true,
Sing our love for Alma Mater,
and thy praises, M.S.U.
When from thy scenes we wander
and twilight shadows fade,
Our mem’ry still will linger
where light and shadow play;
In the evening oft we’ll gather
to pledge our faith anew,
Sing our love for Alma Mater
and thy praises, M.S.U.
YES! Chant
During games, Spartan fans perform WWE’s Daniel Bryan’s YES! Chant. Everyone in the Breslin Center chants, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” in unison, so join in on the chant and cheer on the Spartans.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Signature Cheer
The signature cheer for the Spartans comes in the form of the “Go Green! Go White!” chant. The chant works with one side of the stadium belting out “Go Green!”, calling for the other side of the stadium to respond with “Go White!”
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