11/19 Big Ten Recap: MSU Beats Kentucky

The Big Ten had a fantastic slate of games on Tuesday, highlighted by the Champions Classic, where Michigan State faced off against Kentucky. Five other Big Ten teams were also in action.

Let’s take a look at what happened.

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–No. 17 Michigan State Spartans 83, No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats 66

The Champions Classic is always one of the best events of the college basketball season. It features four massive name brands of college basketball facing off in a raucous environment. It many ways, it signals the unofficial start of the college basketball season, as the nation’s focus begins to shift from the gridiron to the hardwood.

As part of this event, Michigan State found itself set to face off against Kentucky on Tuesday. The Wildcats entered the season with lofty expectations and an elite rankings, but had underwhelmed through its first four games, falling on the road to Louisville last week. That put the pressure on Mark Pope and his staff to get the job done against the Spartans on Tuesday.

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Fortunately for Spartan fans, that wouldn’t be the case.

Michigan State not only went on to win the game, but did it in blowout fashion, cruising to an 83-66 win that was as dominant as the final score. Kentucky limped to just 0.93 points per possession, which Jaxon Kohler scorched the Wildcats down low for 20 points on the evening. Kur Teng also had a nice showing with 15 points off the bench. Eight Spartans saw at least 12 minutes of playing time and most finished with offensive ratings above 100.

It’s hard to overstate the significance of this win. It not only pushed the Spartans to 4-0, but got the team what projects as a top-tier victory for Selection Sunday. If Michigan State hopes to get back in the Final Four and national championship picture, it needed to prove it can beat elite opponents and this certainly fits the bill. Moreover, it should serve as an emotional boost, as the team prepares for its holiday tournament. The team will now return home and…

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Publish date : 2025-11-19 13:37:00

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