Even though there were some sloppy moments, No. 18 Michigan State was able to get back to its winning ways by defeating Southern Indiana Thursday by a score of 74-51. The Spartans now are set for a date with the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Eastern Time as a part of the Champions Classic. Duke, who was preseason No. 2 in the country before falling in the rankings in Week Two poll results, is coming off a loss to the Arizona Wildcats at home by a score of 78-73. Both teams come into this game 1-1 and are looking to make a statement in this early season matchup.

1 - A.J. Hoggard (6’4” Sr.), Tre Holloman (6’2” So.)

2 - Tyson Walker (6’0” Graduate Sr.), Jeremy Fears Jr. (6'2" Fr.)

3 - Jaden Akins (6’4” Jr.), Coen Carr (6’5” Fr.), Gehrig Normand (6'5" Fr.)

4 - Malik Hall (6’8” Graduate Sr.), Xavier Booker (6'11" Fr.)

5 - Mady Sissoko (6’9” Sr.), Carson Cooper (6’11” So.)

Injured: Jaxon Kohler (6’9” So.)

Rankings & Ratings: No.18 (AP), No.19 (Coaches), N/A (NET), No.30 (Kenpom), No.10 (Barttorvik)

Michigan State was able to get into the win column in its last game but not without some questions. Though MSU led comfortably for most of the night, there were still issues with sloppy play and shooting by the Spartans. Rebounding was also an issue as MSU surrendered 13 offensive rebounds.

The Spartans were led by Tyson Walker, who chipped in 14 points. Mady Sissoko contributed with a double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds), and Jaden Akins filled up the stat sheet as well with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four steals.

MSU will surely have to clean up the defensive rebounding issues with Duke’s frontcourt size led by National Player of the Year candidate Kyle Filipowski. This will also be a matchup of great backcourt play as well, and what better stage of a game for senior point guard AJ Hoggard to finally have a good performance under his belt for this season than the Champions Classic.

After the loss to James Madison, everyone has soured a bit on Michigan State this season already, despite how early it is in the young season. This is a marquee matchup that -- if the Spartans find a way to win -- it will change the narrative that is currently surrounding this team.

1 - Jeremy Roach (6’2” Sr.), Caleb Foster (6’5” Fr.)

2 - Tyrese Proctor (6’5” So.)

3 - Jared McCain (6’3” Fr.)

4 - Mark Mitchell (6’9” So.), Sean Stewart (6’9” Fr.)

5 - Kyle Filipowski (7’0” So.), Ryan Young (6’10” Sr.), Christian Reeves (7’1” So.)

Injured: None

Rankings & Ratings: No.9 (AP), No.9 (Coaches), N/A (NET), No.12 (Kenpom), No.8 (Barttorvik)

The Duke Blue Devils are coming off a tough loss at home at the hands of the Arizona Wildcats. Arizona looks like one of the better teams in the country, so it's nothing to hang its head about, but Duke will surely be motivated and pissed off that it dropped that game at home.

The Blue Devils are led by two All-American candidates in Kyle Filipowski and Tyrese Proctor. Both of these players made the decision to come back for their sophomore seasons and are looking to have big years. Filipowski came out of the gates wanting to send a message he will be one of the better players in the country. Despite the loss Friday, he posted 25 points and eight rebounds even while in foul trouble for most of the night. Tyrese Proctor had a solid game, but was outplayed by the Arizona guards for most of the night, so he surely will be motivated to have a bounce back game against a Michigan State backcourt that is highly praised by national pundits.

Both these returning players do have some talent around them as well. In the front court, the Blue Devils also return Mark Mitchell who started almost every game for Duke last season. So far this year, he is averaging nine points and five rebounds. Mitchell is a utility four man that plays very well next to Filipowski and does all the little things. The Blue Devils also have veteran Ryan Young who has played more college basketball games then possibly the whole country, and they also have super talented and bouncy freshman in Sean Stewart.

In the backcourt, the Blue Devils have star freshman Jared McCain and All-ACC selection in senior Jerremy Roach. Duke boasts five-star Caleb Foster coming off the bench as well.

Second year head coach Jon Scheyer has a good combination of freshman and returning talent that has many convinced Duke is a team that will be in contention to cut down the nets come March.

After a rough start to the season for Michigan State standards, this is the type of game that, if MSU can find a way to win, its first two games of the season will somewhat be forgotten for the time being. The Spartans will likely struggle trying to contain Filipowski, but if they can stop the others around him they have a chance to win this one. The Spartans will also need a better effort from their vets and need to avoid a slow start. I think Michigan State will stick around, but Duke will pull away late and avoid dropping back to back games.

More MSU Hoops Coverage from Spartans Illustrated:
- 3-point shooting, other woes continue as Michigan State prepares for Duke
- Tom Izzo isn't concerned about Michigan State's poor 3-point shooting
- MSU Women's Basketball signs three to 2024 class

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