Michigan State Madness is here - What you need to know

Susan Vela, Lansing State Journal
·2 min read
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EAST LANSING — The unofficial kickoff of basketball season begins Friday for Michigan State University fans, including thousands who will welcome the men's and women's teams at the annual Michigan State Madness event.

Here's what you need to know about the event, which used to be called Midnight Madness but is now held a bit earlier.

When do doors open at the Breslin?

Doors will open at 8 p.m. Autographs and trick-or-treating on the Breslin Student Events Center concourse will be held before the teams take the floor, according to an MSU press release.

The formal 9:30 p.m. program that includes introductions of the women's team led by first-year head coach Robyn Fralick and the men's team led by veteran coach Tom Izzo.

The Spartan Marching Band and drumline, Michigan State cheerleaders, MSU dance team and Sparty mascot will help set the mood.

What to expect?

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo talks to the crowd during Midnight Madness festivities, Friday, Oct. 12, 2007, in East Lansing, Mich. The event used "300" movie-themed costumes.
Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo talks to the crowd during Midnight Madness festivities, Friday, Oct. 12, 2007, in East Lansing, Mich. The event used "300" movie-themed costumes.

Players are typically available for autographs on the concourse, and there is merchandise and concessions for sale. Some fans may want to pick up a basketball or shirt or hat for players to sign before getting in the autograph line. Once the teams hit the floor, what will Tom Izzo show up as? It's an MSU tradition that the coaches make their official on-court appearance in costume.

In 2019, Izzo and former women's coach Suzy Merchant entered dressed as superheroes, with Izzo dressed as the Incredible Hulk. Past costumes for Izzo have included being dressed as Iron Man, a member of KISS and a race car driver.

This year's event is a first for Fralick, who played in high school at Okemos and takes over as the women's coach after coming to MSU from Bowling Green State University.

Michigan State women's basketball coach Robyn Fralick answers questions from the media prior to conducting her first official practice leading the Spartans on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.
Michigan State women's basketball coach Robyn Fralick answers questions from the media prior to conducting her first official practice leading the Spartans on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.

How much does it cost?

Admission is free and seating is general admission.

Where can I park?

The Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, 219 S. Harrison Road; Ramp 7, and lots 62, 63, and 79, which are all free after 6 p.m., according to Michigan State's press release.

New players to look for

MSU's Olivia Porter sinks a three-pointer during the Spartans' annual Midnight Madness event Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at the Breslin Center.
MSU's Olivia Porter sinks a three-pointer during the Spartans' annual Midnight Madness event Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at the Breslin Center.

The men's team has four freshmen who will be experiencing the madness for the first time: Xavier Booker, a 6-foot, 11-inch forward from Indianapolis; Coen Carr, a 6-5 forward from East Point, Georgia; Jeremy Fears Jr., a 6-2 guard from Joliet, Illinois; and Gehrig Normand, a 6-5 guard from North Richlands, Texas.

Newcomers for the women's team include: Kennedy Blair, a 5-9 freshman guard from Dearborn; Mary Meng, a 6-5 freshman center from Grafton, Ohio; Bree Robinson, a 5-8 freshman guard from Mississauga, Ontario; Lauren Ross, a 5-10 junior guard from Muskegon who transferred in from Western Michigan; and Jocelyn Tate, a 5-10 junior guard/forward from Pickerington, Ohio, who transferred from Bowling Green.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State Madness is here - What you need to know