Michigan State Basketball faces the toughest opponent possible in Kentucky to start the season. What do the Spartans need to do to get the victory?
According to both the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll, this matchup between Kentucky and Michigan State Basketball is not only the season opener for both teams but it’s also between the #1 and #2 teams in the country. Michigan State even before the month of April could end was deemed to be the preseason #1 team in the country.
Kentucky usually wins the off-season recruiting battles against the top teams in the nation but this season they also find them themselves ranked #2 in the country. These two blue blood programs have faced each other before in the Champions Classic going back to 2013. Michigan State won the first battle between them and Kentucky in a hard fought 78-74 victory for the Spartans.
The Wildcats got their revenge three years later win they defeated Michigan State in the 2016 Champion Classic by a final score of 69-48. This duel between the two high-powered programs will be their third matchup in the Champions Classic. Kentucky can make a huge statement by defeating #1 Michigan State in the historic Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Spartans will look to prove that they are worthy of the #1 ranking before continuing on arguably the most difficult schedule in the nation.
The Wildcats lost four starters from last season’s team who lost in overtime to Auburn in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Some key players left early for the NBA, however, EJ Montgomery and Nick Richards decided to return to Kentucky where they deemed the grass was bluer after earlier testing interest from the NBA Draft before withdrawing their names before the deadline. As expected, Kentucky brings in a highly-touted recruiting class of freshmen and in this case, 5-star rated Tyrese Maxey and Kahlil Whitney are looking to make a splash on national television against the #1 ranked Spartans.
Maxey and Whitney are not highly touted recruits who will play against the Spartans, Johnny Juzang another highly rated incoming freshmen will look to challenge the veteran Michigan State squad. Kentucky after last season provided depth and veteran leadership by adding graduate transfer Nate Sestina from Bucknell. Montgomery and Richards are not the only players returning with experience and talent as lockdown defender Ashton Hagans returns as well for the defensive-minded Wildcats. Kentucky will have a good balance and blend of veteran players as well as talented freshmen for this #1 vs. #2 showdown.
The November 5th, 9:30 EST match up on ESPN with have all the eyes of college basketball focused solely on the Spartans and Wildcats in the 2nd game of the Champions Classic. Michigan State is loaded and with many college experts having Cassius Winston as #1 player in college basketball. The Spartans will be challenged without the presence of the injured senior Joshua Langford and possibly senior Kyle Ahrens as well.
This early in the season, Michigan State may be little too much for the Wildcats to handle in a high paced game. Michigan State brings a ton of talent and leadership from last season’s Final Four team along with two top-100 recruits in freshmen Rocket Watts and Malik Hall. Expect this to be a very exciting game with a ton of future NBA talent on the court. Now, let’s take a look at the three keys to victory for the Spartans.