No. 2 Duke faces No. 5 Michigan State in State Farm Champions Classic showdown tonight

Michigan State comes into the game with a ranking of fifth in the nation, and at least part of that is due to its returning players.Jeremy Fears Jr.

has been one of the better guards in college sports and is the catalyst for this team.He makes this team go, and in two games, he has led the team in scoring.

It isn't much scoring at just 12 points per game, but either way, he still leads the team.Coen Carr is an athletic forward who thrives on defense and rebounding.

Their tenacity will set the tone for Michigan State all season.Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr.drives against North Carolina during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov.

27, 2025, in Fort Myers, Florida.(AP Photo/Mike Carlson)The Spartans are 2-0 for the season, but they haven't played anyone of substance.

They beat Quinnipiac by 37 points in the season opener, and they beat Toledo by 30 points in the next game.Now they face a true test.

The question will be how well some of the newer guys play.Jasiah Jervis led the team in scoring in their last game, and Ethan Taylor is a 7-footer who will cause headaches for everyone.

Overall, the team has some depth, consistency, height, and high-motor guys.They should have a chance against anyone in the nation.Duke is the second-ranked team in the nation, and they are pretty much the same story as every year.

In the past two seasons, they had Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Cameron Boozer come in and leave their program.Both seasons ended without a National Championship, but both seasons were successful.

The Blue Devils don't have the top-ranked player in the nation this season, but they do have Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje and Cameron Williams, who are 6'11" or taller.Duke guard Caleb Foster drives past St.John's guard Dylan Darling during the second half of the Sweet 16 round in the NCAA college basketball tournament in Washington on March 27, 2026.

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