New York City — It’s hard to find brighter lights than the ones Michigan State found itself bathed in Tuesday night. The Big Apple. The Mecca of basketball. The Champions Classic.

Five games into the season, the 17th-ranked Spartans matched up with a Kentucky team that would leave none of their flaws to the shadows. And yet Michigan State left the spotlight with a statement: a 83-66 win over No. 12 Kentucky, led by uncharacteristically strong 3-point shooting and its patented physicality inside.

Michigan State moves to 6-9 all time in Champions Classic games, and 2-2 against Kentucky in the annual event.

Michigan State (4-0) outscored Kentucky in the first half and finished the game with a 42-28 advantage on the glass. Forward Jaxon Kohler led all players with 20 points, while guards K

See Full Page