Cowboys to open basketball season at Michigan State
Published 7:06 am Saturday, June 1, 2013
McNeese State’s basketball schedule is not yet complete, but the Cowboys do know where their season will get started.
The school confirmed Friday that the Cowboys will tip off the year at national powerhouse Michigan State on Nov. 8. It will be the first meeting between the programs.
The Spartans have never missed the NCAA Tournament in 17 years under coach Tom Izzo. In his tenure Michigan State has won seven Big Ten titles, reached six Final Fours and two national championship games.
The Spartans may end up being the highest ranked team ever faced by McNeese. ESPN analyst Dick Vitale has Michigan State ranked as the No. 2 team in the country in his preseason poll.
Oh, and there’s this — Michigan State has not lost to an unranked nonconference opponent at home since falling to Toledo on Dec. 30, 2002.
It will be the second straight year that McNeese travels to one of the nation’s marquee programs for a guarantee game. Last season the Cowboys visited North Carolina for a 97-63 defeat.
McNeese will also participate in the Preseason NIT, though the schedule for that event has not yet been released.
Other games in the non-conference schedule will include visits to LSU and Larry Brown-coached Southern Methodist.
McNeese State head men’s basketball coach Dave Simmons. (Associated Press)
