Michigan State basketball plays first March Madness 2025 game today. Here's what to know.
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team makes its 27th straight NCAA Tournament appearance on Friday when it takes on the Bryant Bulldogs in a first-round matchup in the South region.
The Spartans (27-6) earned the No. 2 seed and will face the No. 15 seed Bryant (23-11) in Cleveland, Ohio.
MSU's streak of 27 consecutive tournament appearances is a Big Ten record and the second longest-active in the NCAA.
MSU lost to Wisconsin, 77-74, in Saturday's Big Ten Tournament semifinal.
The Bulldogs won both the America East regular season and tournament titles. This is Bryant's second NCAA Division I tournament appearance and the first since 2022.
What time does Michigan State play?
Tip-off for Friday's first-round game from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, tips off at 10 p.m. ET.
How to watch Michigan State's first March Madness game
You can watch Friday's game at 10 p.m. ET on TBS.
How far has Michigan State made it in March Madness?
Michigan State is a two-time national champion. It won its first title in 1979 under legendary coach Jud Heathcote and a Magic Johnson-led team. The Spartans won it all again in 2000, with Mateen Cleeves and Morris Peterson leading the way in a win over Florida.
Michigan State also finished as a national runner-up in 2009, when it lost to North Carolina in a championship game played at Ford Field in Detroit.
The Spartans have made 38 NCAA Tournament appearances and have the sixth-most Final Four appearances with 10 (1957, 1979, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019). Michigan State has reached the Sweet 16 on 21 occasions, including in 2023.
Michigan State has posted a 73-36 record in the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans have advanced past either the First Four or First Round each of the last three years.
Is Michigan State or Bryant predicted to win?
FanDuel Sportsbook projects Michigan State as a 16.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 152.5.
This is the first all-time meeting between the two schools.
Michigan State and Bryant players to watch
The Spartans are led by senior guard Jaden Akins and freshman guard Jase Richardson, who average 12.7 and 12 points per game, respectively.
Senior guard Rafael Pinzon paces the Bulldogs at 18.5 points per game while fellow senior guard Earl Timberlake averages 15.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per contest.
