Spartans VALORANT Opens Season Against Top-Five Syracuse

Michigan State's VALORANT program begins its Power Esports Conference (PEC) title defense tomorrow night against No. 4 Syracuse (8:00 PM EST) with aspirations to run the season back, but this time with an almost entirely rebuilt roster.

Preseason Power Esports Conference Coach's Poll

The Spartans captured the PEC Championship last April in Vegas but return just one of five starters. Only Landon "illogical" Burgess remains from the title squad, yet Michigan State received the top preseason ranking - a reflection of both program reputation as well as the conference's respect for Head Coach Mills' system. Systems take time though, and this first test against Syracuse will prove a fantastic opportunity to see what this squad is made of, and what style of VALORANT they intend to play.

What's more- a hop, skip and a jump over to Midland, MI this weekend will give the new squada chance to play on a stage in front of a live crowd for the first time together against regional competition at Field of Frames, an event held in partnership with the Great Lakes Loons and DOW Chemical.

"There are a lot of unknowns, especially with our team almost being a completely new roster and three new teams [Baylor, Minnesota, Utah] in the league," head coach Mills said. "We are always trying to win. The best way to win is to develop each player individually and the team as a whole."

Tomorrow's matchup continues a busy week of Michigan State-Syracuse competition. The Spartans' Rocket League team defeated the Orange at the PEC Kickoff Event in Syracuse last Saturday, establishing early momentum in the conference rivalry. After VALORANT competes this evening, Smash completes the trifecta Thursday at 8:00 PM EST.

For Michigan State's varsity esports program, housed within the College of Communication, Arts, and Sciences, the season represents both defending a championship and establishing a new team identity around different personnel. Coaches are all too familiar with the challenges of roster turnover - talent graduates or, all too often in the age of NIL, pursues other opportunities. However, this marks Coach Mills' first major rebuilding effort since taking over the program three seasons ago.

The Spartans attempt to prove their top ranking reflects more than past accomplishments as they open conference play against a proven Syracuse program that returns more experienced players.

You can catch the new face of Michigan State VALORANT Wednesday, September 24 as the squad takes on Syracuse at 8:00 PM EST. Click here to watch the stream for free.