Duke's late surge exposed Michigan State's offensive struggles, particularly from the backcourt, leading to a significant slide in national rankings.
After a tough loss to the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils on Saturday afternoon, the Michigan State Spartans slid two spots in Andy Katz’s latest Power 37 rankings, falling from No. 6 to No. 8.
The drop came despite an impressive start to the week. Michigan State opened Big Ten play by dismantling Iowa at home, setting the stage for a highly anticipated top-10 showdown in East Lansing. Under the bright lights of the Breslin Center, one team was destined to walk away with a résumé-defining win.
Both teams traded blows throughout the game, but Michigan State’s lack of scoring down the stretch ultimately sealed its fate. The Spartans mustered just five points in the final minutes against Duke’s zone defense, allowing the Blue Devils to complete a late comeback.
Katz didn’t hold back in his post-ranking comments, saying: “The Spartans had chances but let Duke get the best of them in the little things — the differences that can win games.”
And, through the Spartans’ first few weeks, that assessment has proven accurate.
Strong Start Overshadowed by Missed Opportunity
Michigan State entered the Duke matchup looking like one of the most complete teams in the country. With three wins already against top-15 opponents — two dominant victories over Kentucky and North Carolina and a tight win over Arkansas — the Spartans had built a compelling early-season résumé.
MSU’s identity has been clear: a physical, fundamentally sound team that wins on the glass, moves the ball well, and prioritizes smart shot selection. But against Duke, those strengths evaporated.
The Spartans were out-rebounded for the first time all season (albeit by just one) and struggled to generate consistent offense. Outside of Jaxon Kohler — who knocked down four threes and kept MSU afloat — the perimeter shooting never materialized.
Had this game been on the road, the gap likely would’ve been much wider. The Breslin Center crowd did everything possible to lift the team, but the “little things” ultimately swung the game.
Guard Play the Biggest Concern
The most glaring issue: Michigan State’s guards.
In a high-level matchup against one of the nation’s premier teams, MSU’s starting backcourt went a staggering 0-for-15 from the field — a recipe for disaster in any game, let alone versus No. 4 Duke.
Jeremy Fears Jr., MSU’s emotional and playmaking leader and the nation’s assist leader, had his worst game of the season, going 0-for-10 while missing numerous layups and floaters. Freshman Kur Teng, making his first start of the year, went 0-for-5 (0-for-3 from deep), while the man he replaced, Samford transfer Trey Fort, contributed just 1-for-2 shooting in eight minutes.
You can chalk this up to a bad night but piss poor shooting from the guards will lose games, especially against elite opponents. If the Spartans are to maintain top-10 status, they need reliable backcourt scoring rather than depending almost solely on Kohler to carry the offense.
No Panic in East Lansing
Despite the loss, this is familiar territory for a Tom Izzo team. Early-season setbacks against elite opponents are part of the formula, and they often pave the way for improvement as the season progresses. There’s no panic surrounding this group, nor should there be.
Duke held firm at No. 4 in Katz’s rankings, while Michigan State slid to No. 8.
Andy Katz’s Latest Top 10 (Power 37)
1. Arizona
2. Michigan
3. Iowa State
4. Duke
5. UConn
6. Purdue
7. Alabama
8. Michigan State
9. Louisville
10. Kansas
The Power 37 is not an official ranking system, but Katz’s evaluations are widely respected across the college basketball landscape. His rankings weigh team performance, talent level, and strength of schedule, and they’re updated regularly to reflect the evolving national picture. Teams at the top are considered strong national championship contenders.