Photo: Dominic Carroll ~ WJR
EAST LANSING, October 13, 2023 ~ The Michigan State University men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted an enthusiastic crowd of students, alumni, and fans at the Breslin Center Friday during their annual Midnight Madness event.
Both teams put on their best Halloween costumes for player introductions, followed by a three-point contest for the women and a dunk contest for the men. They also held quick scrimmages to rally fans ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The MSU men’s basketball team offered high hopes for a winning season, with key players Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard at the forefront of the charge. Walker and Hoggard were honored this year with placement on the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
The Spartans also have high hopes for four-star recruits Coen Carr, Jeremey Fears, and Gehrig Normand, as well as five-star recruit Xavier Booker, who were all added to the Spartans‘ roster this year.
“It’s not win-a-championship-or-bust,” said Michigan State Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tom Izzo. “But we’ve worked all summer ’cause we think were one of eight or ten teams that has a legitimate chance to get the job done.”
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October 16, 2023 ~ Michigan State University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo and Head Woman’s Basketball Coach Robyn Fralick get introduced as The Dynamic Duo during the university’s annual Midnight Madness basketball season kick-off event at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Photo: Dominic Carroll ~ WJR
(CONTINUED) As the university looks to put the Mel Tucker sexual harassment scandal behind them, Coach Izzo took a moment to offer some inspiring words of confidence for the university’s football program.
“I went over to football practice today and those guys, those coaches, and those players have gone through a little bit of a tough time,” said Izzo. “But I’ll tell you what … they were busting their butts today on their way to Rutgers.”
MSU Women’s Head Basketball Coach Robyn Fralick also offered enthusiasm for the season as she looks to lead a quick rebirth for the woman’s program.
Fralick is taking over following the retirement of former Head Coach Suzy Merchant (who left unexpectedly last year due to health concerns), and the team’s disappointing 7-10 finish on the 2022-23 Big Ten Conference season.
Fralick was formerly the head coach of Bowling Green State University‘s women’s basketball team, where she led the program for five seasons to an 88-73 record. Fralick had three appearances in the post season during that time, leading BGSU to a 31-7 record in her final season with the program.
Tipoff for both teams’ season openers is approaching, with the men’s teams facing off against Hillsdale College in an exhibition match on Oct. 25 and the woman’s team facing Davenport University in an exhibition match on Nov. 2.
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