Overview
- No. 17 Michigan State enters Tuesday’s Champions Classic at 3-0, meeting 3-1 Kentucky at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN in New York.
- Izzo criticized the Spartans’ second-half energy after a 79-60 win over San Jose State, then reported two highly productive practices over the weekend.
- The Spartans stay at No. 17 in the latest AP Top 25 released Monday as they seek early validation away from home.
- Four starting spots appear set with co-captains Jeremy Fears, Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper anchoring the core.
- Recent form includes Michigan State’s ranked win over Arkansas, while Kentucky rebounded from a road loss to Louisville with a 99-53 rout of Eastern Illinois.