The 1969–70 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 1969–70 NCAA University Division men's basketball season as members of the Big Ten Conference. They played their home games at Jenison Fieldhouse in East Lansing, Michigan and were coached by Gus Ganakas in his first year as head coach of the Spartans. The Spartans finished the season 9–15, 5–9 in Big Ten play to finish in a three-way tie for sixth place.
Prior to the season, on September 10, 1969, the Spartans head coach, John E. Benington suffered a heart attack and died after jogging at Jenison Fieldhouse at the age of 47. Ganakas, an assistant under Benington, was promoted to head coach for the season.
Previous season The Spartans finished the 1968–69 season 11–12, 6–8 in Big Ten play to finish in a three-way tie for fifth place.
Roster and statistics 1969–70 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball teamNoNamePosYearHeightPtsReb11Lloyd WardGSR5–117.42.112Tim BograkosGJR6–13.10.913Gary PrzybyloGSO6–115Ralph SimpsonFSO6–429.010.421Rudy Benjamin GJR6–312.62.824Ronald GutkowskiFSO6–58.85.825Robert GaleFSR6–52.31.631Eddie HumphreyGJR6–21.30.332Steve Kirkpatrick GSR6–20.70.733Paul DeanGJR6–11.40.635Pat MillerFSO6–27.83.741James GibbonsCSR6–610.27.242Craig LarsenCSO6–90.144Ron BingeFSR6–50.045William CohrsCSO6–60.70.6 Source
Schedule and results
!colspan=9 style=| Regular season
References