The Michigan State Spartans will take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first big matchup of the college basketball season in the Armed Forces Classic on the USS Abraham Lincoln. Michigan State has made the NCAA Tournament for 24 straight years. Even though they are starting the season unranked they have every expectation of being there at the end of the season. Gonzaga comes in ranked number two and has every expectation to make another run for a chance at the title. Gonzaga returns three starters from last year's team including All-American center Drew Timme. The Spartans will struggle to contain the Zags high powered offense. Timme should have his way in the paint as the Spartans' center position needs to improve. The Spartans' depth could be a problem at the beginning of the season but they have 3 highly-rated freshmen who given time will be ready to go in March. Izzo likes to schedule tough games at the beginning of the season to be ready for conference play and March. The Spartans have been known to pull off an early upset early in the season but I don't see this as being one of those times.

Play on Gonzaga.