Oakland University takes on Michigan State University as men’s college basketball returns to The Palace on Tuesday, December 22. In anticipation of a soldout crowd, fans are encouraged to arrive early for the 7 p.m. tip-off.

Attendees arriving from I-75 can still enter from Exit 81 (Lapeer Rd), but alternate routes are recommended to lessen congestion. Motorists can either exit south of The Palace (at Exit 77 - M-59 West to Opdyke Road and go north, or exit at Exit 79 - University Drive to Opdyke and go north), or exit north of The Palace at Exit 83 - Joslyn Road and follow the signs to the arena to enter at Harmon Drive. For more information on directions and parking, please visit www.palacenet.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the newly renovated East Terrace will greet fans with locally-inspired street food fare and signature beverages at three dining destinations, Maplewood Barbeque, The Linkery and Eastside Tacos.  The Palace Grille opens two hours prior to tip-off and reservations can be made by placing them online at www.palacenet.com/venues-events/palace-of-auburn-hills/venue-dining-options-1 or by calling 248.377.8454.

A limited number of individual tickets are still available by calling The Palace Ticket Store at 248.377.0100. 

Oakland finished in a tie for third place in its second season inside the Horizon League after going 11-5 in 2014-15. The Black and Gold have won 139 games over the last seven seasons, earning six NCAA postseason appearances. The Golden Grizzlies reached double-digit league wins in eight of the last nine seasons and boast an impressive conference record of 96-45 (.681).

Entering his 32nd season as head coach, Greg Kampe is the third-longest tenured coach in Division I. Kampe led Oakland to six championships in 14 seasons inside The Summit League, including three NCAA tournaments (2005, 2010 and 2011). He became the fifth active Division I coach to win 500 games at one school, finished third all-time in The Summit League with 147 league victories, and earned a league-best five Coach of the Year accolades.

Michigan State is coming off its ninth trip to the Final Four in school history, including its nation’s-best seventh trip in 17 years under head coach Tom Izzo. It also marked the program’s 18th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the longest current streak among Big Ten schools and third longest in the nation. The Spartans finished 27-12 overall and third in the Big Ten with a 12-6 record.

Entering his 21st year as head coach of the Michigan State basketball program, Tom Izzo is 495-199 (.713), and 233-107 (.685) in the Big Ten. He ranks as the winningest coach in Michigan State history, having passed his mentor Jud Heathcote in 2009. In his 20 seasons, Izzo has captured eight National Coach of the Year awards, including the Clair Bee Award in 2005 and NABC honors in 2001 and 2012. His seven Final Four appearances rank tied for fourth all-time and tied for second among active coaches.