KALAMAZOO, Mich. – In its final non-conference contest the Western Michigan men's basketball team will travel to East Lansing for a showdown with No. 14 Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29.

Sunday, Dec. 29  • 8:00 p.m. • East Lansing, Mich. • Breslin Center (14,797)
Western Michigan Broncos (7-5, 0-0 MAC) at No. 14 Michigan State Spartans (9-3, 2-0 BIG)

Series Record: WMU trails 14-24
Last Meeting: Nov. 28, 1998 – East Lansing, Mich. – WMU 66, MSU 90

BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Radio • Bronco Radio Network – Korey Lee (PBP)
Stations • WZOX – 96.5 FM: Kalamazoo (flagship), Portage, Mattawan; WMAX – 96.1 FM: Holland, Muskegon; WTKG 1230 AM: Grand Rapids
Watch Live: Big Ten Network (Cory Provus – PBP, Bob Wenzel – Color)

Get your Tickets!
Make sure to join us for Bronco basketball this season inside University Arena! Single-game tickets start at just $12. Also available is the "Pick Six" plan as Bronco fans have the opportunity to pick six men's home games that fit their schedule starting at only $66. Tickets can be purchased at the Bronco Ticket Office, online at wmubroncos.com/tickets or by calling 1-888-4-WMU-Tix.

Scouting the Broncos
Returning from the holiday break Western Michigan has won three straight games and has an overall record of 7-5. In their last contest the Broncos defeated in-state foe Aquinas College, 84-61 on Wednesday, Dec.18. Against the Saints, WMU shot a staggering 59.3 percent from the field.

WMU's Final Four
WMU's match-up with the Spartans on Sunday marks the fourth consecutive year the Broncos have squared off with an opponent that played in the Final Four the previous season:
• Villanova (2016) – National Champion
• South Carolina (2017) – National Semifinalist
• Michigan (2018) – National Runner-Up
• Michigan State (2019) – National Semifinalist

Shock the World
November 21, 2007 was the last time WMU defeated a ranked opponent. The Broncos beat No. 25 Davidson and NBA star Stephen Curry, 83-76. This will be the sixth time since 2010 WMU has faced a ranked opponent.

In-State Foes Finally Meet Again
This will be the first match-up between Western Michigan and Michigan State since 1998. WMU seeks its first victory over the Spartans since 1981.

Flowers Has Blossomed
With 210 total points during non-conference play, junior Michael Flowers is one of just 24 players under head coach Steve Hawkins to eclipse 200 points in non-conference action. Flowers leads the team and ranks second in the MAC at 17.5 points per game.

Double-Double Johnson
Redshirt junior Brandon Johnson is nearly averaging a double-double this season at 15.5 points and 9 rebounds per contest. Johnson has recorded a double-double in three of the past four contests and has four this season.

Two is Better than One
Western Michigan is the only team in the MAC to have two players rank in the top ten in the conference in scoring and field goal percentage.
• Michael Flowers (17.5 ppg – 2^nd MAC) (.445 FG% - 10^th MAC)
• Brandon Johnson (15.5 ppg – 8^th MAC)  (.462 FG% - 9^th MAC)

Scouting the Competition
Michigan State is currently ranked No. 14 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll with an overall record of 9-3 and 2-0 in Big Ten Conference play. The Spartans are currently on a four-game win streak with victories over Rutgers, Oakland, Northwestern and Eastern Michigan.

Offensively the Spartans are led by senior guard Cassius Winston who leads the team at 17.6 points per game. Xavier Tillman and Aaron Henry are also averaging double figures with Tillman ranking second on the team at 12.9 points per game and Henry at 10.2 points per game.