The first thing that jumped out on Michigan State basketball’s new schedule is a Christmas Day home game against Wisconsin.
Other than that, a first for the program, it is another classic Tom Izzo gauntlet — high-profile national opponents, tough in-state foes and a favorable 20-game Big Ten slate which the 26th-year coach hopes can sharpen his team into another conference and NCAA title contender.
Of course, all of this could change. The Big Ten built in two sets of “collapsible byes” — Jan. 18-21 and Jan. 25-28, and Feb. 22-25 and March 1-5 — in case games need to be rescheduled due to COVID-19 issues.