Michigan State coach Tom Izzo wasn’t the least bit pleased with how his team played Thursday against San Jose State.
Naturally, his mood didn’t improve when the topic turned to No. 12 Kentucky, the squad that the No. 17 Spartans will face Tuesday night in the Champions Classic in New York City.
“Oh, man, we play like this, we’re going to get killed,” Izzo said after the 79-60 home win over San Jose State. “Do you think that’s coach-speak? I don’t really care. Here, look me in the eye. If we play like this, we’ll get killed.
“I mean, they’re a very good team. They have nine and 10 deep. They are athletic. … We have to guard better.”
Michigan State (3-0) beat then-No. 14 Arkansas 69-66 on Nov. 8, so the Spartans do have a solid victory.
Kentucky (3-1) walloped visiting Eastern Illinois 99-53 on Friday for its second win by over 40 points this season. The Wildcats also routed Valparaiso, 107-59 on Nov. 7.
But Kentucky has a blemish, as it was outplayed in a 96-88 road loss to then-No. 12 Louisville last Tuesday. Perhaps that’s why Wildcats coach Mark Pope considers the clash with Michigan State as a huge game for getting answers.
“It’s going to be really important for us,” Pope said. “We are still learning ourselves, and unfortunately for us we have to break a lot of stuff before we fix it. Right now is where we feel like we are, which is OK because the growing part of the season is incredibly painful and frustrating and leaves you with a lot of doubts.
“But it’s actually, if you step back, it’s actually a really beautiful process. So yes, this team is built to function like that, and if we embrace it, then we have a chance to be good.”
This will be the first clash between the two bluebloods since Nov. 15, 2022, when the Spartans prevailed 86-77 in double overtime in the Champions Classic in Indianapolis.
Wildcats big man Mouhamed Dioubate said he is excited about the opportunity to play inside famed Madison Square Garden.
“I can’t wait to play in New York,” Dioubate said. “It’s going to be my first time playing in New York in my college career, so I’m going to have some family and friends come out to watch me. And it’s at the Garden. Every kid’s dream is to play at the Garden, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Dioubate stood out against Eastern Illinois by producing 20 points (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and 11 rebounds. He is shooting 67.9% from the field and ranks third on the team in scoring (12 points per game) and second in rebounding (6.8).
Denzel Aberdeen leads Kentucky with a 15.3 scoring average, and Otega Oweh (13.0) ranks second.
Michigan State is receiving stellar play from big man Jaxon Kohler, who had 17 points and a career-best 18 rebounds against San Jose State. He leads the squad in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (13.3).
Kohler is in his fourth season with the Spartans, so he’s well aware of Izzo’s penchant for motivational tactics.
“I think that here and there you can see potential of what we can do and what we can be,” Kohler said, “but we have to make sure that we learn the small things like coming off a big game, and then no matter who we play next, we have to get better then the big game.”
Wildcats point guard Jaland Lowe (shoulder) again will sit out. It’s possible he will need surgery.
Kentucky leads the series 14-12, but the Spartans have won five of the past eight meetings.
