Detroit - The grass in Ford Field got a little greener Thursday when the Spartan basketball court was temporarily transplanted for a press conference to officially announce "BasketBowl."
The Dec. 13 event will feature the MSU and Kentucky basketball teams in the Detroit stadium, home to the Detroit Lions.
The nonconference game is expected to draw 75,000 fans, easily breaking the previous attendance record for a collegiate basketball game.
The matchup - originally scheduled as an MSU home game against the Wildcats - left MSU head coach Tom Izzo calling the record-setting attempt a favorable - if calculated - risk for the university as well as the city of Detroit.
"You've got to go out on a limb sometimes," Izzo said. "I'm really thrilled we have an opportunity to do something that leaves a mark.
"For the Detroit Lions, for Ford Field, for MSU and Kentucky, I'm proud to be a part of it."
Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith also voiced his contentment with the plan, but via a videotaped message. Smith was unable to attend the press conference due to SEC meetings being held in Florida.
Additional seating on the turf surrounding the basketball court will be temporarily installed, but the final logistics for seating arrangements hasn't been completed.
Tickets are available to both schools' season-ticket holders and university donors, and will be on sale to the general public on July 8.
Wayne County organizers are predicting a profitable venture for the city, estimating tourism expenditures that day alone to be $7 million, and $20-30 million projected to raked in for the entire event.
As many fans may already know, this isn't the Spartan's first time entering the record books for the amount of fans at one game.
The Spartans had 74,544 fans pack Spartan Stadium on Oct. 6, 2001, for a 3-3 overtime tie between Michigan and MSU.
Athletic Director Ron Mason - who coached the Spartans in that contest - said the planning stages for events of such a magnitude take a toll on all involved parties, and not to expect a "Cold War" or "BasketBowl" sequel.
"As long as I'm AD, we'd never do another one," Mason said. "Timing is critical and you don't look to do something like this anymore."
Should "BasketBowl" sell-out, it would easily smash the record for college basketball attendance. There were 68,112 fans gathered in the Louisiana Superdome on Jan. 20, 1990, to see Louisiana State beat Notre Dame.
The game also will serve as a showcase for the venue, as well as the teams. "BasketBowl" will be a push for Detroit to host the NCAA Final Four in 2008, Wayne County organizers said. Ford Field already is home to the 2006 Super Bowl.
Patrick Walters can be reached at walter88@msu.edu.
