In the seven seasons since the college basketball version of GameDay debuted on ESPN in 2005, MSU has hosted the event twice, the most among Big Ten schools, and participated in it six times, which ties for the most in the nation.

Astrein was in line for GameDay around 5 a.m., braving the cold weather that began to make its way back to East Lansing.

The doors opened at 7:45 a.m. for Izzone members. Hundreds of them were lined up before the doors opened. The general public was allowed in at 8 a.m.

After ESPN analyst and former Notre Dame head coach Digger Phelps warmed up the crowd, Sportscenter began with live cut-ins to the crowd at 9 a.m.

“Three weeks from tomorrow, Michigan State is going to the NCAA Tournament,” Phelps said to the crowd. “This show is your show today, to let the nation know, let alone Illinois, tonight is the first step where we seal the deal for an NCAA bid.”

GameDay began its live broadcast at 10 a.m. on ESPNU and moved the broadcast to ESPN at 11 a.m. to noon.

Fans brought all sorts of creative signs and cutout heads and led many chants of “Go Green. Go White” and “I-Z. Z-O.”

Men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo participated in an interview with ESPN anchor Rece Davis.

Junior quarterback Kirk Cousins, Sparty and former MSU basketball player Matt Steigenga joined the GameDay crew in judging the best college dunk of the season.

The Spartans take on Illinois at 9 p.m. on ESPN with a pregame show from Breslin being shown at 8 p.m.

The Izzone is sure to be loud with GameDay back in the house.

“I think it says a lot that the fans and the Izzone are really respectable group and that we are one of the best student sections out there,” journalism sophomore Danielle Turcotte said.