Nov 8, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo watches his squad against Arkansas during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images

Every year in November, four of the best and most consistently successful men's college basketball programs in the country gather for an event that serves as some of an unofficial kickoff for the season.

That event, the Champions Classic, will tip off on Tuesday, Nov. 18 with No. 13 Kentucky taking on No. 18 Michigan State in the first game of a doubleheader at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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In their second season under coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats entered the season with lofty expectations, with a No. 9 ranking in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and a roster reportedly worth around $22 million. In their first big test of the season, though, they stumbled, falling 96-88 to archrival Louisville in a game in which they trailed by as many as 20 in the second half.

They'll take on a Spartans team that's 3-0, a run highlighted by a 69-66 win against a then-No. 15 Arkansas team led by Kentucky's former coach, John Calipari. Coach Tom Izzo's squad has been paced thus far by senior forward Jaxon Kohler, who is averaging a team-high 14.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game.

The programs last met in the Champions Classic in 2022, an 86-77 Michigan State victory in double overtime.

Here's how to watch the Kentucky-Michigan State basketball game, including time, TV, streaming information, game odds and more:

What TV channel is Kentucky vs Michigan State basketball today?

  • TV: ESPN
  • Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

The front end of the Champions Classic doubleheader will take place on ESPN, with Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas and Kris Budden calling both games. Streaming options for Kentucky-Michigan State include the ESPN app (with a valid cable login) and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial.

Kentucky vs Michigan State basketball time today

  • Date: Tuesday, Nov. 18
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

The Champions Classic game between Kentucky and Michigan State is scheduled to tip off from Madison Square Garden at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Kentucky vs Michigan State basketball picks, predictions

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Nov. 18.

  • Spread: Kentucky (-4.5)
  • Over/under: 153.5
  • Moneyline: Kentucky -210 | Michigan State +170

Prediction: Kentucky 82, Michigan State 77

Even with one of their best players (big man Jayden Quaintance) out and another (point guard Jaland Lowe) questionable, the Wildcats should have more than enough firepower to outscore a Spartans offense that ranks outside the top 50 nationally in efficiency thus far.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where to watch Kentucky vs Michigan State today: Time, TV for Champions Classic game

Reporting by Craig Meyer, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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