The Big Ten Conference released its basketball schedule for the 2015-2016 season on Thursday afternoon, and while some Spartan fans will be excited to see a home and away battle with Wisconsin, other parts of the schedule aren’t so fan friendly.
Michigan and Michigan State will only meet one time next season, with the lone meeting in Ann Arbor. According to MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo, there are no plans to meet in a non-league game like was done in 1997. Izzo said he would like to see MSU and U-M “protected” as a home-and-home each year, but “I just don’t know if they can do that as easily as they can with football.”
Big Ten one plays announced. MSU will play at U-M only and these teams twice: Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, Wisconsin.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) February 19, 2015
Not only will the Wolverines only see the Spartans once next season, but they’ll also only see their other rival from Columbus once, as the Buckeyes and Wolverines meet once in Ohio.
That is a pretty calm Big Ten schedule for Michigan hoops next year, at first blush. Don't have to go to MSU, IU; Wisc/OSU just once.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) February 19, 2015
Dates and times will be released this summer once TV schedules are available, but here is how the 2015-16 season breaks down for both Spartans and Wolverines:
Michigan
Home: Indiana, Michigan State, Northwestern, Rutgers
Away: Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State, Wisconsin
Home/Away: Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue
Michigan State
Home: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska
Away: Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue
Home/Away: Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, Wisconsin
