Kentucky basketball will get another crack at downing a high-profile nonconference foe tonight, taking on Michigan State in this year's Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden .

In its first marquee game of the 2025-26 season , UK couldn't beat in-state rival Louisville last week, falling by eight points on the road .

After their 1-1 week — UK battered Eastern Illinois three days after losing to U of L — the Wildcats and coach Mark Pope slid in the two major rankings. Kentucky (3-1) is No. 13 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll and No. 12 in the AP Top 25 . Stream Kentucky vs. Michigan State

The Spartans (3-0) are 18th in the Coaches Poll and 17th in the AP rankings.

Tom Izzo is in his 31st season as MSU's coach. He enters tonight's matc

See Full Page