Michigan State basketball rains 3s on Kentucky in Champions Classic spanking, 83-66

NEW YORK − Tom Izzo rattled cages of his leaders and implored his Michigan State basketball team to show more focus than it did against San Jose State.

What a difference five days made.

The deep shots that weren’t falling for the first three games of the season started dropping in abundance. Inside venerable Madison Square Garden, a venue that has not been kind to Izzo and the Spartans’ shooters over the years.

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The defense that lapsed last week returned to an elite level, both on the perimeter against Kentucky’s dangerous shooters and in the paint, as well as on the boards.

No. 18 MSU raced out to a 17-point halftime lead in the opening game of the Champions Classic and dispatched the 13th-ranked Wildcats, 83-66, on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Jaxon Kohler had 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers. Jeremy Fears Jr. had a career-best 13 assists to go with eight points and six rebounds.

MSU finished 11-for-22 from 3-point range and dominated the Wildcats in rebounding, 42-28,. The Spartans got plenty from shooting guards Trey Fort (13 points) and backup Kur Teng scoring a career-best 15. They combined to make six 3-pointers.

Michigan State Spartans guard Trey Fort (9) shoots the ball as Kentucky Wildcats guard Jasper Johnson (2) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden in New York on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

The Spartans off to their first 4-0 start since winning their first six to open the pandemic-altered 2020-21 season. MSU also improved to 6-9 and 3-2 against the Wildcats in the Champions Classic. Kentucky dropped to 6-9 in the event, which will return to Chicago next year.

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Four players scored in double figures for Kentucky (3-2), which lost at Louisville last Tuesday. Otega Oweh led the Wildcats with 12 points, but they made just 35.1% overall and went 7-for-30 from 3-point range.

MSU’s hot start

MSU entered Tuesday 13-for-60 from 3-point range, and its 21.7% shooting from deep ranked 358th out of 361 Division I…

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Publish date : 2025-11-19 01:55:00

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