Michigan State Physicality Prepares Kentucky for Gonzaga Test

by:Nick Roush•11/17/22•

RoushKSR

Michigan State beat up Kentucky in the Champions Classic. The Spartans physically wore down the Wildcats. Thursday night it was Kentucky’s turn to beat up an opponent.

“I’ve never been hit so hard before in my life,” said South Carolina State forward Dallas James. “At the very beginning, even on plays they were taking off, it felt like they always had an arm on you. So, in all honesty, it encouraged me to hit them more because I’m not just going to sit here and take it but it wore me down very fast.”

The Bulldogs kept it within four points for the first ten minutes before the Wildcats ultimately wore them down en route to a 106-63 victory.

“You can really tell they are really physical and that’s what they preach in practice for their team,” said Shaman Alston. “They are really athletic. I’ve never played against players that tall and athletic in my life before. It’s a good experience.”

Physicality Should Help Kentucky at Gonzaga

Kentucky put it on South Carolina State without much help from Oscar Tshiebwe. Calipari limited the reigning National Player of the Year to just 14 minutes, leaving most of the heavy lifting to Lance Ware.

“It was a physical game,” Ware told reporters after the win. “We emphasized rebounding and getting the ball out quick, something that we didn’t do too well against Michigan State, which is something that we’re known for and we’re good at. They kind of just got a lion that came off a tough loss and we were ready to get that taste out of your mouth and just get a win.”

The New Jersey native scored a career-high 12 points. He also had three rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. The Wildcats shook off the loss, but they aren’t forgetting what they learned from the Champions Classic when they travel to face Drew Timme and Gonzaga this Sunday.

“Michigan State, they’re super physical. I don’t think there’s many other teams out there that are as physical as them. So it was a good test early,” said Ware. “The game’s over, but physicality wise it was it was good for everybody. Now, we know one of the most physical teams in the country, how they play and I don’t see anybody else being much more physical than them.”