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Michigan State Basketball set to take on Loyola Chicago in Battle 4 Atlantis opener

The Spartans are undefeated all-time against the Ramblers

By manningz

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 07 Michigan at Michigan State Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

As the season nears, the Michigan State basketball team has been announcing some of its games for the upcoming season.

Add another game to the schedule, as the Spartans will take on Loyola Chicago in the opening game of the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament, which is set for Nov. 24 through Nov. 26 in the Bahamas. MSU and Loyola Chicago will square off at noon on Nov. 24. The tournament also features Arizona State, Auburn, Syracuse, Connecticut, VCU and Baylor.

According to Sports-Reference, Michigan State is undefeated all-time (4-0) against Loyola Chicago, with the most recent matchup being an 87-52 win for the Spartans back in 2014.

However, over the last few years, the Ramblers have made strides in becoming one of the better mid-major programs in the nation.

The Ramblers made the Sweet Sixteen in last season’s NCAA Tournament after knocking off No. 1 seed Illinois. Also, in 2018, Loyola Chicago made a run to the Final Four before being knocked off by Michigan.

Adding to the intrigue is Loyola Chicago’s new coach, Drew Valentine. Valentine is the brother of former Spartan guard Denzel Valentine, and spent two seasons with Michigan State under Tom Izzo as a graduate assistant.

Former Ramblers coach Porter Moser took over at Oklahoma, paving the way for Valentine to begin his collegiate head coaching career.

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