After two weeks of practicing, the MSU men’s basketball team will have a chance to perform in a game situation Saturday at Breslin Center in the team’s Green and White game.

It’s the first Green and White game in two years.

Last year, it didn’t match up with the football schedule and the team was dealing with injuries.

Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m., following the women’s Green and White game, which starts at noon. Admission is free.

“We’re going to make that a big deal,” men’s head coach Tom Izzo said. “We’re going to run all of our stuff. We’re going to try to make it a competitive game.

“For once in the last three or four years, we’ve got seven guys on each side - which is a treat - and so we’re 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.

“It’s fun to actually play in a game-type situation even though it is against your own teammates,” he said. “It’s a good thing to gauge ourselves on.

“Guys get tired of running drills all day.”

Izzo isn’t expected to coach during the scrimmage, but he’ll be looking on with a watchful eye.

“I’m 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 we’ve been working on.

“We’re looking to see how they sustain the effort that we’re 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 Hancock’s 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.