Game: (689) Michigan State Spartans @ (690) Kentucky Wildcats
Time: Tues. 11/05 9:30 PM EST at Madison Square Garden
Spread: Mich. St -3 (-110) ML: -155/+135 Total: 138 at 5Dimes
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For only the 2nd time in NCAA Division I history, the # 1 and # 2 teams will open their season against each other. The # 1 Michigan State Spartans play the # 2 Kentucky Wildcats, in the State Farm Champions Classic.
After advancing to the Final Four last season yet again under head coach Tom Izzo and dismissing NCAA Tournament favorite Duke along the way, Michigan State enters the 2019-20 campaign loaded with returners and the No. 1 ranking in the country.
Michigan State basketball continues to wait on the final word if Joey Hauser will be eligible this season and how long Joshua Langford’s stress reaction in his left foot will keep him out.
Michigan State did get some good news going into the game that senior Kyle Ahrens has returned and will be available in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Kentucky lost three first-rounders to the NBA but returns a lot of talent that has seen significant time over the last season or two. However, Kentucky is dealing with its own injury issue. Projected starter Nick Richards, a 6-11 Jr., suffered a sprained left ankle in the Wildcats’ exhibition opener on Oct. 27 and sat out their second tune-up win Friday against Kentucky State.
MICHIGAN STATE (2018-19: 32-7): Michigan State returns their top scorer, senior guard Cassius Winston, its second-leading rebounder, junior Xavier Tillman. Michigan State’s problems usually come when facing pressure defenses, as Winston can force things and commit turnovers, so look for Kentucky to be in his face for much of this game. The fact that Winston doesn’t have running mate Joshua Langford (foot injury) to lean on for help won’t make the Spartans’ situation any better. Freshman Rocket Watts is expected to start at shooting guard, and he’ll need to handle the ball some to allow Winston a break from the pressure.
KENTUCKY (2018-19: 30-7): In a starting five that features two freshmen and two sophomores, graduate transfer Nate Sestina from Bucknell will provide some needed experience for coach John Calipari. The 6-9 forward averaged 15.8 points and a Patriot League-best 8.5 rebounds a season ago, and he’ll be expected to be a stabilizing force in the paint. Sestina averaged 12.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in Kentucky’s two exhibition games, shooting 64.7 percent from the field and could be a big factor against MSU’s smaller front line.
Michigan State is loaded, but they tend to fall short in these early-season showdowns before turning it up as to head towards March Madness. While the chemistry and level of play should be there for MSU, it is also running into a loaded and fairly experienced Kentucky squad.