Many doubt, the MSU men's basketball schedule is amazing. It has been described as the most brutal schedule in Spartans history.
Only time will tell.
But the "Magical Journey" head coach Tom Izzo is so fond of isn't a venture down the road. It starts this weekend.
Heck, call it a "Magical Weekend," as the basketball team will attract hype in the shadow of the MSU-Michigan football game.
The Spartans will embark on their 2003-04 season by unveiling a sculpture of 1979 MSU national champion team member and NBA Hall of Fame guard Earvin "Magic" Johnson at Breslin Center on Saturday morning. They will play the Harlem Globetrotters in the team's first exhibition game at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
"It's great; I think it's going to be one of the greatest weekends ever at Michigan State," MSU junior guard Kelvin Torbert said. "I mean, you got one of the greatest players getting a statue made of him, and you got a big-time football game, and the next day you got a big time basketball game, so it's a great weekend not only for us, but the students and the fans."
Food and beverages will be pushed aside at Saturday's morning tailgate to salute Magic at the Breslin Center at 9 a.m. Doors open to the general public at Gate B at 8:55 a.m.
Saturday's ceremonies include speeches from members of the MSU Board of Trustees, MSU President M. Peter McPherson, athletics director Ron Mason, Magic's Everett High School head coach George Fox, the head coach of the '79 title team Jud Heathcote, Izzo and, finally, the guest of honor, Magic. The speeches will be followed by the unveiling of the Magic sculpture, titled "Always A Champion" outside of Gate B.
Sunday's game against the Globetrotters seems to have a larger billing around Breslin Center than simply an exhibition. First, the game will be nationally televised on ESPN. Second, Magic will lead the Globetrotters against his alma mater with college and NBA rival and friend Larry Bird coaching the team.
"We know coming in, it's going to be a big game," Torbert said. "It's bigger than an exhibition game, because they got a lot of great players, and they got a lot of guys that have played pro and have college experience."
But there is history between the Globetrotters and the Spartans. Two seasons ago, the Spartans defeated the Globetrotters, 72-68, ending their undefeated streak at 1,270 games. Since the loss, Harlem Globetrotters owner Mannie Jackson hasn't been happy with the Spartans snapping his team's winning streak, making the anticipation for Sunday's matchup rivarly-like.
"Mannie Jackson, I'm telling you, he was upset when we beat them," Izzo said.
With just two weeks of practice behind them, the Spartans are eager to hit the hardwood and test their preseason expectations of Big Ten champions.
MSU junior guard Chris Hill said the game holds larger implications because of its nationwide audience and the level of competition the Globetrotters will place on the court. Hill stressed that the Spartans can't play below the level of hype surrounding the contest.
"We're excited; we're looking forward to getting out and playing our first exhibition," Hill said. "It's going to be against a very, very good team, and it's going to test us early to see the work we have put in so far and where it's at and exactly how we're doing."
