From the banks of the Red Cedar to Ivy-covered halls, Michigan State University students are buzzing ahead of back-to-back high-stakes men's basketball and hockey matchups on the national stage.

The basketball and hockey teams are both set to square off against the University of Connecticut later this week, with the hockey team facing the Huskies in the first round of the NCAA tournament Thursday and the basketball team clashing against them in the Sweet Sixteen on Friday.

“I think it's really fun that they're happening at the same time, especially that we're playing the same team a day apart, so basketball and hockey fans can kind of unite in their combined hatred for UConn this week,” said creative advertising senior and hockey student section member Dana Winslow.

Economics junior Jack Ring said he’s incredibly passionate about both teams and looks forward to watching the games this week.

“I love Jeremy Fears, Coen Carr, and all of them,” Ring said. “... It's ‘Hate UConn Week,’ hopefully we get one of them. I'm a big hockey guy, so I'm hoping they can get the job done this year.”

For the basketball team, Friday’s game will mark another clash against storied programs that have faced off on the sport’s biggest stages. But for the hockey team, their Thursday tilt will their first against UConn. 

Still, the contemporaneous matchups have imbued the upcoming game with an additional significance.

Despite a lackluster football season last fall, biochemistry senior Daniel Clancy said the Spartans’ success in basketball and hockey has been an exciting experience for him. He says he plans to watch both games this week.

“I think it's kind of cool to see back-to-back games,” Clancy said. “I think it would be fun. Hopefully, we'll get a sweep there.”

If the basketball team vanquishes the Huskies on Friday, it would be the Spartan’s second consecutive trip to the Elite Eight. The hockey team is looking to make a deep run in the tournament following a disappointing first-round loss last year.