Kentucky vs. Michigan State: How to watch, odds, predictions from ESPN, KenPom

On3 imageby:Alex Weber•11/15/22

Sure, college basketball officially got started roughly a week ago. But the real kick-off to the hoops season is the Champions Classic Tuesday night, the annual neutral site event involving Kentucky, Michigan State, Kansas and Duke. In other words: four of the most historic programs in the sport’s history. It’s the type of event that pushes all of the outside noise (NIL, transfer portal, COVID, etc.) to the back and simply lets the game take center stage.

Starting it off at 7 o’clock ET is the Spartans and Wildcats, so read below for all of the relevant information on that matchup:

How to watch

Tip-off: 7 p.m.

Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

Channel: ESPN

Vegas odds

According to the Vegas Insider Consensus, Kentucky are the favorites over Michigan State by 7.5 points as the No. 4 team facing an unranked Sparty squad on a neutral site. Could see some major line movement depending on the status of reigning National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe, as he’s rumored to finally be suiting up for the ‘Cats.

ESPN BPI Prediction

Predicted winner: Kentucky

Predicted point differential: 7.7

Win probability: 76.2%

Matchup quality: 80.9

KenPom Prediction

Predicted final score: 74-66

Win probability: 77%

More on Kentucky-Michigan State

Kentucky has only played the early game in this event a few times, and almost all of them were against Michigan State. ‘Cats fans are usually forced to stay up into the wee hours of the night for the later tip time — normally around 9:45-10:00. Not this year. Kentucky and Michigan State fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing their game will actually end before midnight this year.

As for the game itself, well, there’s a lot of weight on the status of Oscar Tshiebwe. You know, the best player in the country. Big O hasn’t suited up yet this season, but reports are he is working back to finally playing in the MSU game. With the Spartans’ weak spot being their center spot, his availability could quite literally flip the game. So keep an eye on Tshiebwe’s status ahead of this one.