NEW YORK — In a stunning display of long-range shooting that defied their early-season struggles, No. 17 Michigan State dismantled No. 12 Kentucky 83-66 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, kicking off the annual Champions Classic with a decisive victory. Kur Teng, a junior guard for the Spartans, emerged as an unlikely hero, draining three of Michigan State's season-high 11 three-pointers en route to a career-best 15 points. The win improves Michigan State's record to 4-0, while Kentucky drops to 3-2 after a second loss in their last three games.
The Champions Classic, a marquee event that rotates top programs each year, lived up to its billing as a clash between two storied basketball powers. Michigan State, under legendary coach Tom Izzo, entered the matchup with a reputation for gritty, inside-out play, but their performance from beyond the arc marked a dramatic turnaround. Prior to this game, the Spartans had connected on just 14 three-pointers across their first three contests, shooting a dismal 21.7% from deep — the fourth-worst mark among all 361 Division I teams. Against Kentucky, however, they hit half of their attempts, showcasing a newfound confidence that propelled them to a lead they never relinquished after halftime.
Jaxon Kohler led all scorers with 20 points, including two threes of his own, while Trey Fort contributed 13 points off the bench. The Spartans' dominance extended beyond shooting; they outrebounded the Wildcats 42-28, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities that have long been a hallmark of Izzo's teams. As Izzo himself has often emphasized in postgame remarks, rebounding is the foundation of success in his system, and Tuesday's effort underscored that philosophy.
The game tipped off with Kentucky jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead, fueled by their trademark fast-break style under first-year coach Mark Pope. But the Wildcats quickly cooled off, managing just 8-of-29 field goals in the first half, including a frigid 4-of-15 from three-point range. Michigan State seized control midway through the period, building momentum with efficient inside scoring and opportunistic defense. The half's defining moment came with two seconds left, when Teng buried a baseline fadeaway jumper from the deep corner, sending the Spartans into the locker room with a 10-point advantage.
Emerging from halftime, Michigan State wasted no time asserting further dominance. Coen Carr, known for his explosive athleticism, electrified the crowd early in the second half with a thunderous alley-oop dunk that extended the lead and seemed to sap any remaining fight from Kentucky. The Wildcats mounted a couple of brief runs, narrowing the gap to single digits at one point, but the Spartans responded each time, methodically pulling away to a 20-point cushion in the final minutes. The 83-66 final score flattered Kentucky somewhat, as Michigan State's bench depth and defensive intensity wore down the opponents over 40 minutes.
For Kentucky, the loss highlighted ongoing shooting woes and the absence of key personnel. Point guard Jaland Lowe, a highly touted transfer, has missed his fifth straight game to start the season after dislocating his right shoulder in an intrasquad scrimmage last month. Lowe is out indefinitely, according to team officials, leaving a void in the backcourt that has hampered the Wildcats' rhythm. Otega Oweh paced Kentucky with 12 points, while Denzel Aberdeen, Collin Chandler, and New York native Mouhamed Dioubate each added 10. Dioubate, playing in his hometown arena, showed flashes of potential but couldn't stem the tide against Michigan State's physicality.
Pope, who took over at Kentucky following John Calipari's departure to Arkansas, spoke candidly after the game about the need for adjustments. "We started strong, but our execution faltered," Pope said, according to reports from the sidelines. "Credit to Michigan State; they imposed their will on both ends." Izzo, meanwhile, praised his team's resilience, noting the importance of the Champions Classic platform. "This is what college basketball is all about — big stages, big crowds, and big wins," Izzo remarked postgame, as captured by Associated Press reporters.
The matchup provided a snapshot of two programs in transition. Michigan State, ranked 17th in the latest AP poll, has relied on a blend of veterans and newcomers to navigate a competitive Big Ten landscape. Izzo's squad has won its first three games by an average margin of 25 points, but the Kentucky victory stands out for its stylistic shift. The Spartans' improved three-point shooting could signal a more versatile offense moving forward, potentially boosting their national profile as conference play looms.
Kentucky, despite the preseason hype as a top-15 team, has shown vulnerabilities in non-conference tune-ups. Their 3-2 record includes a narrow escape against a mid-major opponent and now this blowout loss to a ranked foe. The Wildcats' fast start belied deeper issues, including inconsistent perimeter defense that allowed Michigan State to feast from deep. As Pope rebuilds the roster with high school recruits and transfers, integrating talent like Aberdeen and Chandler remains a work in progress.
Madison Square Garden, often called the world's most famous arena, added to the electric atmosphere. The event drew a sellout crowd of over 19,000, many donning green and white for the Spartans or blue for the Wildcats. The Champions Classic has a rich history since its inception in 2011, featuring iconic games like Duke vs. Kentucky and Michigan State vs. Kansas. This year's edition, pitting Midwest powerhouses against each other, delivered on the drama, even if the outcome was lopsided.
Looking ahead, both teams return to action Friday night. Michigan State hosts Detroit Mercy, a Horizon League squad, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The Titans, coached by former Izzo assistant Mike Davis, present a familiar challenge but one the Spartans should handle comfortably. Kentucky welcomes Loyola Maryland to Rupp Arena in Lexington, where the Greyhounds — fresh off a recent upset — could test the Wildcats' resolve at home.
The implications of this result ripple through the college basketball landscape. For Michigan State, a signature win over a top-15 opponent strengthens their case for climbing the polls, especially with the Spartans' history of deep March runs under Izzo. Kentucky, on the other hand, faces questions about their ceiling without Lowe and amid shooting slumps. As the season progresses toward conference battles, Tuesday's game serves as a reminder of the fine line between contention and disappointment in the hyper-competitive world of Division I hoops.
AP college basketball coverage continues to track these developments, with poll updates and in-depth analysis available through their hubs. Fans can follow the Spartans and Wildcats as they navigate the road ahead, each seeking to build on early lessons from the Champions Classic.