Gonzaga Basketball to Face Michigan State in Palm Springs

The Bulldogs and Spartans will play a non-conference matchup in December 2026.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:42pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, featuring overlapping planes of Gonzaga's blue and red colors and Michigan State's green and white, capturing the energy and movement of a basketball game between the two teams.The upcoming non-conference clash between Gonzaga and Michigan State will showcase the programs' storied histories and Hall of Fame coaches in a unique cubist-inspired visual.Palm Springs Today

Both the Gonzaga men's and women's basketball teams will take on Michigan State in a non-conference matchup on December 19, 2026, at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California. This will be the latest clash between the two storied programs, with Michigan State holding a 4-2 all-time series lead over Gonzaga.

Why it matters

This high-profile non-conference game will be a marquee early-season matchup between two of the top college basketball programs in the country. The game will also honor the legendary coaching careers of Gonzaga's Mark Few and Michigan State's Tom Izzo, who are both Naismith Hall of Fame inductees.

The details

The Gonzaga-Michigan State matchup will be part of Gonzaga's challenging 2026-27 non-conference schedule, which also includes games against Purdue, Kentucky, UCLA, Oregon, and Creighton. The Zags and Spartans last faced off in 2022 on the USS Abraham Lincoln, with Gonzaga winning 64-63 in a low-scoring affair.

  • The Gonzaga-Michigan State game will take place on December 19, 2026.
  • Gonzaga and Michigan State last played each other in 2022 on the USS Abraham Lincoln.

The players

Mark Few

The head coach of the Gonzaga men's basketball team and a Naismith Hall of Fame inductee.

Tom Izzo

The head coach of the Michigan State men's basketball team and a Naismith Hall of Fame inductee.

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What they’re saying

“This will be a great early-season test for both our men's and women's programs. We're excited to take on a storied program like Michigan State in a beautiful setting like Palm Springs.”

— Mark Few, Head Coach, Gonzaga Men's Basketball

“Gonzaga has become one of the premier programs in college basketball, and we're looking forward to renewing this rivalry in a unique venue like the Acrisure Arena.”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State Men's Basketball

What’s next

The game will be part of Gonzaga's 2026-27 non-conference schedule, which is still being finalized. Additional details, including game time and television information, will be announced at a later date.

The takeaway

This matchup between two of the top college basketball programs in the country will be a must-see event for fans, as it features a clash of Naismith Hall of Fame coaches and two teams with national championship aspirations.