1969–70 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team

1969–70 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record9–15 (5–9 Big Ten)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Robert Nordmann
  • Matthew Aitch
Captains
  • James Gibbons
  • Lloyd Ward
Home arenaJenison Fieldhouse
1969–70 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 7 Iowa140 1.000205  .800
Purdue113 .786186  .750
Ohio State86 .571159  .625
Illinois86 .571159  .625
Minnesota77 .5001311  .542
Michigan59 .3571014  .417
Wisconsin59 .3571014  .417
Michigan State59 .357915  .375
Northwestern410 .286915  .375
Indiana311 .214717  .292
Rankings from AP Poll

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.