After dropping a heartbreaker to No. 12 Louisville last week, a game Kentucky had chances to win but let slip away due to defensive lapses, the mood has shifted from excitement to anxiety.
Losing to Louisville is never just a loss. It’s a scar. But here is a chance to really get the taste out of their mouth.
Mark Pope gets Tom Izzo to try and counter the narrative of a bad defensive team.
Kentucky heads to Madison Square Garden to face No. 17 Michigan State with their backs arguably against the wall for the first time this season. This isn't just about avoiding an 0-2 skid against ranked teams; it's about proving the Louisville loss was a stumbling block, not a fatal flaw in the system.
If Kentucky shows up with a hangover? Izzo’s Spartans will grind them into dust.
Here is everything you need to know about the critical showdown at MSG.
How to Watch Kentucky vs. Michigan State
- Date: November 18
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming options: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV,FuboTV,Sling TV (Orange Plan
- Announcers: Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Kris Budden
- Streaming: ESPN App / SEC Network+
- Radio: Tom Leach & Jack Givens (UK Sports Radio Network)
- Online: Stream live at UKAthletics.com or on iHeartRadio via WLAP 630.
- Local FM/AM Stations:
- Lexington: 98.1 FM / 630 WLAP
- Louisville: 840 AM WHAS
- London: 103.9 FM WWEL
- Hazard/Pikeville: 101.1 WSGS
- Madisonville: 93.9 FM WKTG
- Spread: Kentucky -5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Kentucky -265 / Michigan State +215
- Total: 153.5
- KenPom: Kentucky 80–73
- BPI: Kentucky win probability 77.8%
- BartTorvik: Kentucky 76–74
Updated odds & what the analytics say
Despite the loss, the oddsmakers still trust Kentucky. The spread suggests Vegas sees the Louisville game as a defensive anomaly rather than the norm.
The computers are betting on a bounce-back. They expect Kentucky’s offensive efficiency to return to form against a slower Michigan State team.
3 keys to stopping the bleeding
The Louisville loss exposed real cracks. Michigan State doesn't play like Louisville, but they are perfectly built to exploit a team that feels sorry for itself.
1. Fix the transition defense (immediately)
Let’s be honest: The transition defense against Louisville was unacceptable. The Cardinals scored 30+ points in the first eight seconds of the shot clock. It was a layup line. Tom Izzo is watching that tape. While MSU prefers half-court sets, they are lethal in transition if Kentucky jogs back. If we see the same lack of urgency getting back on defense tonight, hit the panic button.
2. Match the physicality or go home
Louisville bullied Kentucky in key moments. Now comes one of the most physical team in the country.
This is a gut-check game for Mo Dioubate and Brandon Garrison. Michigan State treats every rebound like a street fight. If Kentucky gets pushed around in the paint for the second game in a row, the "soft" label is going to start sticking to this team. That cannot happen.
3. Play angry, not frustrated
There’s a difference. Against Louisville, Kentucky looked frustrated when shots didn't fall. They started forcing hero-ball possessions. Mark Pope needs to get this team playing angry. Controlled aggression. They need to attack the rim, draw fouls, and dictate the pace, not settle for contested threes just to try and get the lead back in one possession. Michigan State is great at drawing fouls, so the Cats have to play smart.
The redemption watch: Kam Williams
Kam Williams finally broke through with a good 12 minutes against Louisville. He needs to be the X-factor tonight. Michigan State’s defense collapses hard to protect the paint. That leaves the corners open. Williams has to be ready to shoot without hesitation. If he hits two or three early ones, it opens up the floor for everyone else.
Final prediction
This feels like a "circle the wagons" moment. Mark Pope knows the noise that comes with losing to Louisville. He knows this team needs a signature win to wash the taste out of their mouths.
Michigan State will make it ugly. It will be close, and it will be physical. But Kentucky’s offense is too good to stay cold, and the desperation of avoiding a losing streak will wake up the defense.
The Cats get off the mat.
Final Score: Kentucky 77, Michigan State 70
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion