Men’s Basketball | 11/11/2024 12:44:00 PM
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- Game 3 Kansas
- NUMBB GM2 MichiganState
East Lansing, Mich. – In an exciting early-season matchup, Michigan State’s men’s basketball team is set to hit the road for its first official away game this season. The Spartans will travel to Atlanta, where they will face the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in the highly anticipated Champions Classic on Tuesday, November 12, at State Farm Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET. This clash promises to be a thrilling contest, showcasing two of college basketball’s elite programs.
The game will air live on ESPN, featuring a broadcast crew comprising Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, and Jess Sims, who will provide expert commentary and insights throughout the game. For fans who prefer radio coverage, the Spartan Media Network will deliver a state-wide call, accessible online at MSUSpartans.com. Will Tieman will lead the play-by-play, while Matt Steigenga will serve as the color analyst, with Zach Surdenik hosting from the studio. Additionally, listeners can tune into channel 84 on SiriusXM and via the SiriusXM app for exclusive coverage.
About the Spartans
- The Spartans opened the season with a pair of solid performances at home last week, beginning with an impressive 81-57 victory over Monmouth, followed by an overwhelming 96-60 win against Niagara on November 7.
- Senior guard Jaden Akins had a standout performance in the victory over Monmouth, scoring a career-high 23 points, showcasing his offensive prowess. Meanwhile, junior forward Jaxon Kohler delivered an exceptional showing against Niagara, notching personal bests with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
- Prior to the official start of the 2024-25 season, the Spartans engaged in two exhibition games, which included a commendable 70-53 win over Northern Michigan on October 13, marking the first time MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo coached at his alma mater.
- With the return of eight letterwinners and the infusion of two transfers alongside five fresh recruits, Michigan State looks to build on last year’s success. The team finished with an overall record of 20-15 and extended its remarkable streak by qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the 26th consecutive year, the longest active streak in Division I basketball.
- Replacing four key starters will be a primary focus for the Spartans, as those players collectively contributed 61.7% of last year’s scoring, alongside significant percentages in rebounds and assists. Notably, guard Tyson Walker, recognized as an All-Big Ten Second Team member, played a pivotal role in that scoring.
- Michigan State returns three players who started last year, prominently featuring Akins, who was fourth in team scoring with an average of 10.4 points per game. His contributions also included 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists per game, and he was a consistent shooting threat, tying for the team lead in made three-pointers with 64, while being the sole player to start all 35 games last season.
- Alongside those returning players, the Spartans are excited to welcome five new additions, which encompass two transfers and five freshmen to their roster.
- Junior guard Tre Holloman emerged as an integral player last season, playing approximately 19.7 minutes per game while contributing 5.7 points and finishing second on the team in assists with 2.4 per game, alongside leading the team in 3-point shooting percentage with an impressive 42.5%.
- In addition, junior center Carson Cooper proved himself by starting the final four games of last season, participating in all 35 games and averaging 3.4 points alongside 4.4 rebounds per game, demonstrating his valuable role in the team’s rotation.
- The Spartans have actively bolstered their roster with experienced transfers, including senior forward Frankie Fidler from Omaha and senior center Szymon Zapala, who previously played at Longwood and Utah State.
- Fidler, standing tall at 6-7 and weighing 217 pounds, made a significant impact in his three years at Omaha, earning First Team All-Summit League honors for the 2023-24 season after averaging an impressive 20.1 points per game, coupled with 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
- Zapala, a dominant presence at 7-0 and 245 pounds, showcased his scoring ability averaging 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in just 16.7 minutes on the court, shooting an exceptional 62.9% from the field while starting 23 of the 35 games in which he participated.
Michigan State in the Champions Classic
- Historically, Michigan State has compiled a record of 5-8 in the Champions Classic, showcasing their competitive spirit in this prestigious event.
- Last year, in the Champions Classic held at the United Center in Chicago, the then No. 18 Spartans faced a tough challenge against No. 9 Duke but fell short, losing by a score of 74-65, with Tyson Walker leading the way for MSU netting 22 points.
- In the Champions Classic, both Duke and Kansas have secured 8-5 records, while Kentucky sits with a record of 5-8 in this notable tournament.
About the Jayhawks
- Kansas enters the matchup against Michigan State boasting a perfect 2-0 record this season. They recently edged out North Carolina with a thrilling 92-89 victory at home and previously began the season with a decisive 87-57 win over Howard on November 4.
- Currently, the Jayhawks hold the No. 1 ranking in both the Associated Press Top 25 and the Coaches poll, solidifying their status as one of the premier teams in the nation.
- Key contributor for Kansas, senior guard Zeke Mayo, has quickly become a player to watch, averaging 26.0 minutes off the bench and providing a noteworthy 20.0 points per game to the team’s scoring effort.
- Mayo, who transferred from South Dakota State, adds depth to a roster that includes two other transfers: junior guard Rylan Griffen from Alabama, averaging 5.5 points per game, and junior guard A.J. Storr, previously at Wisconsin and St. John’s, contributing 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
- Another young standout for Kansas is freshman forward Flory Bidunga, averaging 10.0 points per game and tied for the team lead with 8.0 rebounds, showcasing his potential early in his collegiate career.
Against Kansas
- The matchup on Tuesday will see Michigan State and Kansas face off for the 16th time, with the history of the rivalry slightly leaning in favor of Kansas, who leads the all-time series 8-7. Both teams are currently even at 2-2 in Champions Classic matchups.
- In their most recent meeting, Kansas defeated Michigan State 87-74 in New York City back in 2021, marking Kansas’ third consecutive victory over the Spartans.
- Michigan State’s last triumph in this series took place during the 2015 Champions Classic, where the Spartans claimed a 79-73 victory, powered by a remarkable triple-double performance from Denzel Valentine, who registered 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists.
MSU vs. No. 1
- Throughout its storied history, Michigan State has faced No. 1 ranked teams 27 times, compiling a record of 5-22 against such formidable opponents.
- Notable victories against top-ranked teams include their legendary win over No. 1 Indiana State in the 1979 NCAA Championship game, and most recently, a nail-biting victory against No. 1 Duke in the 2019 NCAA East Regional Final, where MSU emerged victorious with a narrow 68-67 scoreline in Washington, D.C.
- This upcoming game marks the fourth occasion Michigan State will confront a No. 1 ranked team during the Champions Classic, adding an extra layer of excitement and intensity to the contest.
**Interview with Jaden Akins, Senior Guard for Michigan State Men’s Basketball**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Jaden! With the big game against Kansas coming up in the Champions Classic, how’s the team feeling going into such a high-stakes matchup?
**Jaden Akins:** Thanks for having me! The team is definitely buzzing with excitement. We’ve had a solid start to the season, and playing against Kansas, the top-ranked team, is a great opportunity for us to show what we’re capable of. Everyone is looking forward to the challenge.
**Editor:** You had a standout performance in your season opener with a career-high 23 points against Monmouth. What did that game do for your confidence heading into this matchup?
**Jaden Akins:** That game was a great boost for my confidence. It felt good to contribute to the team’s success and I hope to build on that performance. Scoring well definitely helps, but what matters most is how we work together and execute our game plan.
**Editor:** Michigan State has a mix of experienced returning players and new transfers this season. How do you see that dynamic affecting the team’s performance?
**Jaden Akins:** I think it’s a perfect blend. Having eight letterwinners back provides stability, while the new transfers bring fresh talent and perspectives. We’ve been building chemistry in practice and it’s exciting to see how we’re all coming together on the court.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, competing in the Champions Classic is always intense. What do you think are the keys to beating a well-rounded team like Kansas?
**Jaden Akins:** We definitely need to play smart and stick to our defensive principles. Kansas has a lot of talented players, so communication is crucial. Offensively, we need to move the ball and make sure everyone is involved in scoring. If we do that, we can put ourselves in a good position to compete.
**Editor:** Kansas has some impressive momentum after their recent game against North Carolina. How important is it for you and the team to stay focused and not get overwhelmed by the hype surrounding them?
**Jaden Akins:** It’s super important to stay level-headed. The hype is part of the game, but we have to focus on what we can control — our preparation, our mindset, and not getting caught up in what others say. If we stick to our system and trust each other, we’ll be in a good place.
**Editor:** Lastly, the Champions Classic has a rich history. How does it feel to be part of such a prestigious event?
**Jaden Akins:** It’s an incredible honor to be part of the Champions Classic. Not many players get to experience this, and we’re lucky to represent Michigan State in such a significant matchup. It motivates us to play our best and make Spartan fans proud.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jaden! Best of luck against Kansas. We’re excited to see how you and the Spartans perform!
**Jaden Akins:** Thank you! We appreciate the support!