The last time the Kentucky Wildcats took on Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans was in the 2013 StateFarm Champions Classic. The Spartans were led by Keith Appling’s 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, along with 20 points from Gary Harris and 15 from Adreian Payne. MSU got the 78-74 W despite Julius Randle going for 27 points and 13 rebounds, and James Young scored 19. Turnovers killed the Cats as the starters combined for 16 turnovers, including a staggering 8 from Randle. The older and more experienced Spartans held off the freshmen laden Wildcats.
While UK may be freshmen laden again this season, they do return four guys who played some major minutes last season, in Isaiah Briscoe, Derek Willis, Dominique Hawkins, and Isaac Humphries.