It was all Michigan State early and it was all Michigan State late, too, as the No. 17 Spartans dominated No. 12 Kentucky in a statement win to open up this year's Champions Classic doubleheader. The Spartans led for the final 33 minutes of game action and at one point owned an advantage by as many as 24 points before pulling off the gas late.

The No. 18 Michigan State Spartans earned a big win over the No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats in the Champions Classic in New York. Here are the highlights.

The Michigan State Spartans and Kentucky Wildcats meet Tuesday in a neutral-site game at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

Michigan State enters this game 3-0 with wins over Colgate, Arkansas and San Jose State. The Spartans have one of the best nonconference wins of any team -- a 69-66 victory over John Calipari's Razorbacks -- and have a chance to add another marquee win against the Wildcats this week.

Find single game tickets to the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans college football Week 13 matchup on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Kinnick

Preview the Nov. 22 matchup between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Michigan State Spartans with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and more.

Follow along live as No. 17 Michigan State and No. 12 face off in the Champions Classic from inside of Madison Square Garden

The key talking points after Mark Pope and the No. 12 Wildcats’ defeat against Tom Izzo and the No. 17 Spartans in the Champions Classic.

Michigan State football is wrapping things up at Spartan Stadium, thanks to the regular-season finale at Ford Field in Detroit on Nov. 29.