As far as the Champions Classic, uncertainty rules there too: “It looks like we're still going to play the Duke game somewhere … not sure where yet,” Head Coach Tom Izzo said when speaking to reporters Thursday. 

MSU’s desire to schedule Notre Dame became that much closer to a reality Friday, according to Tom Noie of ND Insider, as the Spartans will host the Irish on Nov. 28 for a prospective season-opener.

Potential starting five

A topic usually met with Izzo’s contention, MSU’s starting five often experiences a bit of flux from the Champions Classic to senior day. 

Izzo entertained that too — that is — potential starters for the opening game, whenever that may be.

He gave essentially two locks: junior forward Aaron Henry and redshirt junior forward Joey Hauser, who, according to Izzo, after sitting out a year following his transfer from Marquette, “has just blossomed, from even when he first came.”

As far as the other three spots, he offered a medley of contenders. He suggested redshirt senior guard Joshua Langford and junior forward Gabe Brown, whose offseason has been exalted by coach and teammates alike. He described sophomore guard Rocket Watts and junior guard Foster Loyer as being “in the mix.” At center, he suggested either junior forward Marcus Bingham Jr. or sophomore forward Julius Marble. 

Prediction, season opener

PG: Watts

SG: Brown

SF: Henry

PF: Hauser

C: Marble

Izzo said that the offseason was detrimental to Bingham “just because he didn't gain the weight that I'd like him to gain,” an issue that limited the stretch forward’s minutes last season. 

Marble looks more poised for a starting role, as his physique gained Izzo’s praise.

”His body is great," Izzo said. "He's more athletic than some of those guys, but he has that Spartan strength and toughness. He’s a rock man. He's solid. … He's not afraid of anything. He's improved his shooting a lot. He knocked down every 15-footer now.”