Preview: Men's hoops to open Big Ten campaign at Northwestern Sophomore forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) backs down Northwestern’s Jared Jones (left). The Spartans defeated the Wildcats, 79-50, on Jan. 29, 2020 at the Breslin Student Events Center. — Photo by Matt Zubik | The State News Finals week is over at Michigan State and that means it's time for the men's basketball team to get back into the swing of things. The currently undefeated and No. 4-ranked Spartans (6-0) will open their Big Ten campaign play tonight – Sunday, Dec. 20 – in Illinois against the Northwestern Wildcats (3-1). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.