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
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 7 Iowa 14 0   1.000 20 5   .800
Purdue 11 3   .786 18 6   .750
Ohio State 8 6   .571 15 9   .625
Illinois 8 6   .571 15 9   .625
Minnesota 7 7   .500 13 11   .542
Michigan 5 9   .357 10 14   .417
Wisconsin 5 9   .357 10 14   .417
Michigan State 5 9   .357 9 15   .375
Northwestern 4 10   .286 9 15   .375
Indiana 3 11   .214 7 17   .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.