MSU basketball: Video analysis of the Spartans’ win over Arkansas
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press MSU beat writer Chris Solari break down the Spartans’ win over Arkansas.
Michigan State basketball hasn’t inspired that much praise from coach Tom Izzo this season, but they have a chance to land their biggest win of the early part of their campaign.
Matched up once again with a ranked opponent, the No. 18 Spartans (3-0) will take on the No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats (3-1) on Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the Champions Classic event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN and streamed on Fubo.
The Spartans are 3-0 so far this season, which includes a 69-66 win over No. 22-ranked Arkansas. But now Michigan State will get to play an opponent ahead of them in the coaches poll for the first time this season.
Watch MSU-Kentucky on Fubo (free trial)
These two programs have matched up 10 times in the past, with the Spartans holding a 6-4 record all-time against the Wildcats. MSU won the last meetup against Kentucky 86-77 on Nov. 15, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Now in another early-season, neutral-site game, these two historic powerhouses match up once again.
We have MSU-Kentucky basketball game live updates, score and video highlights.
Michigan State vs Kentucky live updates, score
This section will be updated after tipoff.
OK, maybe the Spartans hype train is coming back to the station. All three “College GameDay” pickers took Kentucky over Michigan State. Ouch.
We’re 5 minutes from tipoff at Madison Square Garden, and the Coen Carr hype is starting to leave the station, with the “College GameDay” showing some highlights. Y’know, like these against San Jose State last week:
Chris Solari, our Detroit Free Press beat writer on Michigan State, broke down the matchup in his game preview and gave his score pick:
“With Jeremy Fears Jr. again fueling the emotion, the Spartans rely on their defense against the Wildcats, who lost to in-state rival No. 6 Louisville last week. Kentucky is markedly deeper than MSU, with nine players averaging seven points or more and four scoring in double figures. It will be up to Fears, Jordan Scott and Coen Carr to use their length and athleticism on the perimeter to bother the Wildcats’ perimeter players, and for Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper to assert themselves in the paint to escape New York with a 4-0 record. The pick: MSU 72, Kentucky 70.”
What time is Michigan State vs Kentucky basketball?
MSU’s neutral-site game against Kentucky tips off at 6:30 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Date:Â Tuesday, Nov. 18.Time:Â 6:30 p.m. ET.Location:Â Madison Square Garden, New York City.Michigan State vs Kentucky channel
The MSU-Kentucky basketball game will be aired on ESPN.
Tipoff: 6:30 p.m. ET.Channel: ESPN.Streaming: ESPN App and Fubo.Radio: WJR-AM 760 (Detroit).
Additionally, the game will be available to stream on the ESPN App and on Fubo, which carries ESPN channels and offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Watch Michigan State vs Kentucky on Fubo
Michigan State basketball schedule in November
For more, here’s MSU’s full schedule in 2025-26.
Nov. 3:Â W, 80-69Â vs Colgate.Nov. 8:Â W, 69-66Â vs Arkansas.Nov. 13:Â W, 79-60Â vs San Jose State.Nov. 18:Â vs Kentucky, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN).*Nov. 21:Â vs Detroit Mercy, 6:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).Nov. 25:Â vs East Carolina, 1 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).**Nov. 27:Â vs North Carolina, 4:30 p.m. ET (Fox).**
*Champions Classic in New York City.
**Ft. Myers Classic in Fort Myers, Florida.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com