The annual Michigan State Madness was held at the Breslin on October 5. Doors opened at 8:30 to the public with ceremonies starting at 9:30. Fans attending the event where able to get autographs and pictures with the basketball teams before the real fun started.
Special guests included the band and drum line, the cheerleaders, dance team, Sparty, both men and women basketball teams and of course both head coaches.
However, this Michigan State Madness was more significant than years past. It has been 40 years since Magic Johnson and the team won the 1979 National Championship, and this year’s Michigan State Madness was dedicated to just that.
The men’s team paid tribute during the event by wearing throwback jerseys from that year. Too add to the magic in the air, head basketball coaches came out in magical ways.
And while the final magic trick of the night was Sparty as Magic Johnson, there came a message from the real one.
“Let’s have an incredible basketball season, from the magic man to all my fellow Spartans all over the world. When I say, “Go Green” you say, “Go White,” “Go Green,” “Go White.” All right have a good one,” said Magic Johnson via video screen.
The men’s start their basketball season on Nov. 6 against Kansas at the Championship Classic and the women host Bowling Green to tip off the season the same day.