For those inside the fences of Munn Field, it’s a night that will never be forgotten. 

The Izzone campout marks the start of the 2025–26 men’s basketball season and the return of one of college basketball’s most electric student sections, rivaling Duke’s Cameron Crazies and Purdue’s Paint Crew. Head Coach Tom Izzo and his players join students nestled between Spartan Stadium and the Breslin Center to secure their place in the Izzone and earn points toward lower bowl seating. 

Every fall, thousands of eager students wrestle with tent poles, meet members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and find community through a shared love of MSU—all to take part in a storied tradition that’s lasted nearly as long as Izzo himself.

Unlike years prior with rain and frigid night winds, this Friday brought a calmer night of clear skies and a low of 59 degrees. For Izzo, he sees the campout as a chance to make memories and pass them down to future children.

“A couple of girls walked by today and said, ‘We’re part of the campout, we were there last year, yeah, but it was a little rainy and cold.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, but that’s what leads to when you have kids and you bring them back, those lead to the great stories,” Izzo said. “You know, I’m more worried that it’s gonna be too nice of weather, but what a great event, what a great opportunity for students.” 

For the second year, Michigan State Madness combined with the Izzone campout for a shot of energy before a long night ahead. For decades, the event has been the formal kickoff to the men’s and women’s season.

After the doors opened at 8 p.m., students, fans, and alumni lined the walls of the Breslin Center, hoping for a photo or autograph from their favorite player. Performances by the Spartan Brass, cheerleaders, dance team, and more kicked off the night with energy—the crowd roared no matter the act.

MSU leaned into its Michigan roots with video messages wishing the team good luck from Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell, Detroit Pistons Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman, and even former Spartan basketball stars Jaden Akins, Max Christie, Mateen Cleaves, and Malik Hall.

A skills competition and dunk contest, as well as men’s and women’s team scrimmages, rounded out Michigan State Madness, but it was just the beginning of the night for Izzone members. 

Back at the campsite, Izzo gave a spirited speech urging students to bring energy to games this season. For the athletes, crowd surfing at the campout has become a rite of passage as freshmen and new transfers took to the crowd, praying to be kept afloat.

Senior Captain Carson Cooper said that his first time at the campout, he had no idea students in the crowd would be carrying him away. 

“You don’t really know what to expect until you get out there,” Cooper said. “When they tell you to go out and crowdsurf, you kind of laugh a little bit, you think they’re joking.”

Cooper, the six-foot-eleven, 245-pound center, did not crowd surf early Saturday morning; instead, Nick Sanders, Trey Fort, Cam Ward and Jordan Scott eased themselves into a sea of Spartan loyalists.

As the transfer and freshman first time at a campout, Cooper said he hopes they will understand that MSU has “the best fans.”

“I hope they just take away that the fans we have are really the best, and they support us no matter what,” Cooper said. “There aren’t many people who can go out and find any other sports across the country and have that many people show up to these events. I hope they really, you know, get out of their comfort zone a little bit, meet new people and explore.”

Freshman finance major Sam Zarotney said the experience was everything he hoped it would be.
“I think the campout is just a way to bring everybody together under one cause of basketball and Izzo,” Zarotney said. “I think it’s a great thing, and just brings everybody together while being able to make new friends.”

Last season, the two teams combined for a 28-4 record at home, a great showing of the Izzone and Breslin Boom. 

MSU women’s basketball will get its start on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at home against Michigan Tech in an exhibition match, while the men tip off the next day at home against Bowling Green. 

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