Imagn Images
The first leg of the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden will feature No. 12 Kentucky facing No. 17 Michigan State. The last meetings between the programs came in 2022, when Michigan State defeated Kentucky 86-77. The Spartans have won five of the last eight matchups against the Wildcats.
Michigan State enters this game 3-0 with wins over Colgate, Arkansas and San Jose State. The Spartans have one of the best nonconference wins of any team — a 69-66 victory over John Calipari’s Razorbacks — and have a chance to add another marquee win against the Wildcats this week.
Kentucky has also been tested early. The Wildcats lost to in-state rival Louisville earlier this month in a rare November meeting between the programs. Kentucky bounced back days later with a blowout win over Eastern Illinois to improve to 3-1 in Mark Pope’s second season at his alma mater.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Kentucky’s matchup with Michigan State on Tuesday.
Where to watch Kentucky vs. Michigan State live
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 18 | Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Madison Square Garden — New York
TV: ESPN | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Kentucky vs. Michigan State: Need to know
How does Kentucky respond after last week: After the loss against Louisville, Pope was honest about his team’s performance. He said it was “out of character.” Days later, after his team’s win over Eastern Illinois, Pope was even more honest. He said that for his players, “this is just a learning curve,” and he wishes he were “further ahead” with his team. After making statements like that, it will be very interesting to see how Pope’s team responds with playing a big-time game against Michigan State.
Keep an eye on Michigan State’s Coen Carr: One…..
