After two weeks of practicing, the MSU mens basketball team will have a chance to perform in a game situation Saturday at Breslin Center in the teams Green and White game.
Its the first Green and White game in two years.
Last year, it didnt match up with the football schedule and the team was dealing with injuries.
Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m., following the womens Green and White game, which starts at noon. Admission is free.
Were going to make that a big deal, mens head coach Tom Izzo said. Were going to run all of our stuff. Were going to try to make it a competitive game.
For once in the last three or four years, weve got seven guys on each side - which is a treat - and so were going to try to get a lot out of that game.
Senior forward Adam Ballinger said the scrimmage will be a relief from intense practices the last two weeks.
Its fun to actually play in a game-type situation even though it is against your own teammates, he said. Its a good thing to gauge ourselves on.
Guys get tired of running drills all day.
Izzo isnt expected to coach during the scrimmage, but hell be looking on with a watchful eye.
Im anxious to see how they do as things continue, he said. What happens is whenever you get the fatigue or get in front of a crowd, you start losing focus on what weve been working on.
Were looking to see how they sustain the effort that were going to demand of them.
The Spartans next take the court against the Magic Johnson All-Stars at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 in the first of two exhibition games. The season opener is at 7 p.m. Nov. 22 at Breslin Center against UNC-Asheville.
John Hancocks wanted
From 3-5 p.m. fans will have a chance to sign the Elite Banner before and during the Green and White Game.
It will be the last time fans will have a chance to sign it before it is raised to the rafters. The banner represents a commitment between the team and the fans.