As a transplanted Michigan State alumnus now living in the Appalachia of southeastern Kentucky — not to mention an avid fan of men’s college basketball — my attention Tuesday night will be focused on the annual Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
An early-season event that debuted in 2011, the Champions Classic features four of the top college programs in the nation: Michigan State, Kentucky, Duke and Kansas. Originally scheduled to end in 2013, the series is now set to run through 2028 and features a rotation where each of the teams play each other every three years.
This year’s event holds a special meaning for this old pundit, as my two “favorite” college programs – MSU and UK – will battle each other for the first time since 2022, when the Spartans escaped with an 86-77 win over the Wildcats in double overtime.
Michigan State and Kentucky have played each other on 10 occasions, all-time, with five of the games decided by five, or fewer, points. The average margin of victory in the series is just 6.6 points, with the Spartans holding a 6-4 advantage in the all-time series.
The MSU-UK series has featured multiple memorable games, including the 2004 game where a remarkable 3-pointer by Patrick Sparks sent the game into overtime, not to mention a 2019 Kentucky victory that was spearheaded by Tyrese Maxey to help the Wildcats take down the then-No. 1 Spartans.
For me, the most memorable game in the all-time series between the two teams came during the 1978 NCAA Tournament when eventual champion, Kentucky, led by Jack “Goose” Givens, edged the Earvin “Magic” Johnson-led Spartans in a 52-49 thriller in the Mideast Regional final.
Despite the heart-breaking loss by my Spartans that night, it signaled an inexplicable fascination and interest in the storied Kentucky program that extends to this day and is somehow made more meaningful to me as a resident of the Bluegrass State.
During the early stages of the 2025-26 season, Hall of Fame Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo has guided his team to a 3-0 record and a top-20 ranking. The Spartans’ resume includes a victory over a top-15 Arkansas team, as well as wins over Colgate and San Jose State where the Spartans pulled away in the second half.
Second-year Kentucky coach Mark Pope has guided the Wildcats to a 3-1 start, with the only blemish being a disappointing loss at rival Louisville last week.
The Spartans are expected to provide Kentucky with a physical test inside the paint, and the battle for offensive rebounds will likely go a long way in determining the outcome of the game.
Historically, Izzo’s teams have demonstrated a skilled ability to rebound, especially on the offensive end of the court, which leads to extra possessions. Thus far this season, the Spartans rank in the top 20 in rebounds per game and offensive rebounding percentage. Pope’s goal is to limit the opponent to 10 offensive rebounds, or less, and through four games this season the Wildcats have allowed just under eight. For Kentucky to be successful Tuesday night, it will need another strong performance on the defensive glass.
Led by senior big men Jaxson Kohler and Carson Cooper, along with high-flying junior Coen Carr, the Spartans have scored 57 percent of their points this season from close range. The Spartans’ inside success has been generated by being effective and efficient with solid ball screens and dribble handoffs, which has created mismatches. An Achilles heel in the Wildcats’ loss at Louisville came against ball screens, and the Wildcats must be better Tuesday night in order to win.
Kentucky certainly features a more proficient group of outside shooters, and Michigan State currently ranks 294th in three-point attempt rate (30.8 percent), compared to the Wildcats’ 37.4 percent efficiency rate from long range. A solid performance from distance Tuesday by the Wildcats would help.
Both teams like to run in transition, so Tuesday’s game could resemble a track meet, at times. Pope was not happy with his team’s transition defense against Louisville, and the Wildcats will need a stronger effort against the Spartans through communication and identifying the “rim runner.”
Whatever the outcome Tuesday, both teams have a full season ahead of them and have plenty of time to improve and gel before March.
My loyalty to the Spartans being “bought and paid for” will certainly dictate my allegiance and support Tuesday night, but the soft spot I have in my heart for the Wildcats and Harlan County’s own, Trent Noah, will lessen the disappointment should Kentucky emerge with a victory.
