New York, NY — Michigan State rediscovered its shooting touch under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, knocking down a season-best 11 three-pointers to power past No. 12 Kentucky, 83–66, in Tuesday night’s Champions Classic opener.
Kur Teng sparked the breakout performance from deep, hitting three triples on his way to a career-high 15 points. Jaxon Kohler led the Spartans with 20 points, including two threes of his own, while Trey Fort added 13.
The 17th-ranked Spartans (4–0) entered the night as one of the worst long-range shooting teams in Division I—just 21.7% from beyond the arc through their first three games—but connected on 50% of their attempts against the Wildcats. Their 11 made threes nearly matched their total output across the first week of the season.
Michigan State also returned to its bread-and-butter identity: physicality in the paint. The Spartans dominated the glass with a 42–28 rebounding advantage, converting second-chance opportunities and wearing Kentucky down inside. Teng’s tough fadeaway jumper from the baseline in the final seconds of the first half pushed the lead to double digits, and Michigan State never let the Wildcats get closer.
Early in the second half, Coen Carr electrified the Garden crowd with a high-flying alley-oop dunk, and the Spartans continued to stave off Kentucky’s attempts to rally. Michigan State gradually stretched the lead to 20-plus in the closing minutes, sealing a convincing victory.
Kentucky (3–2) opened the game with a quick 5–0 burst but soon went cold. The Wildcats shot just 8-for-29 in the first half, including 4-for-15 from three, and dropped their second game in their last three outings. Otega Oweh scored a team-high 12 points, while Denzel Aberdeen, Collin Chandler, and New York native Mouhamed Dioubate each contributed 10.
The Wildcats again played without starting point guard Jaland Lowe, who remains sidelined indefinitely after dislocating his right shoulder during an intrasquad scrimmage last month.
Up Next:
Michigan State: Returns home to face Detroit Mercy on Friday night.
Kentucky: Hosts Loyola Maryland, also on Friday.
