No. 5 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Duke: How to Watch, Preview and Score Prediction

WHO: No. 5 Michigan State Spartans (2-0, 0-0) vs. No. 2 Duke Blue Devils (2-0, 0-0)

WHERE: United Center in Chicago, Illinois (Champions Classic)

WHEN: Tuesday, November 10, at 7 p.m. EST

WATCH: ESPN

For the 21st time in the history of college basketball, the Michigan State Spartans are set to take on the Duke Blue Devils. For the 19th time in those 21 matchups, Tom Izzo will be in charge of the Spartans, while Jon Scheyer will lead Duke for the third time.

The two programs are among the most storied in college basketball, and Tuesday's matchup in Chicago will give Michigan State another opportunity to prove it belongs among the nation's elite.

Tom Izzo currently sits at 3-15 all-time against Duke, with his three victories coming in the 2005 Sweet 16 (Michigan State 78, Duke 68), the 2019 Elite Eight (Michigan State 68, Duke 67) and a 2020 matchup at Duke (Michigan State 75, Duke 69).

Jon Scheyer has won both of his matchups against Michigan State. The first came on November 14, 2023, in the Champions Classic in Chicago, where Duke defeated the Spartans 74-65. The two teams met again last December at the Breslin Center, with Duke coming away with a 66-60 victory.

The Spartans enter Tuesday's matchup having won both of their first two regular-season games. Leading the way is Wooden Award favorite and Big Ten preseason Player of the Year Jeremy Fears Jr.

Fears broke Michigan State's single-season assists record last year with 328 while also leading the team in scoring at 15.1 points per game. Now entering his junior campaign, Fears has picked up right where he left off, averaging 10.0 assists and a team-high 12.5 points per game through the first two contests.

The Spartans enter this season with more depth than in years past, highlighted by a returning veteran core that includes Coen Carr, Jordan Scott and Cam Ward. They also welcome a top-five recruiting class, dubbed the Freshman Four, led by sharpshooting guard Jasiah Jervis, who became the first freshman to start for Tom Izzo since Max Christie during the 2021-22 season.

Jervis made the most of his opportunity in the Spartans' second game, going 4-for-7 from three-point range and leading the team in scoring.

Through their first two victories, the Spartans have looked every bit like a top-six team in the country. Their aggressive defense and rebounding embody the Michigan State identity: gritty play and a team ready to outwork any opponent.

However, this year's team has paired that traditional defensive identity with a dangerous offense, featuring five players averaging double figures through the first two games.

Duke also enters Tuesday's matchup with a 2-0 record after taking care of Coastal Carolina and Army West Point.

The No. 2 team in the nation has four players averaging double figures through its first two games. That group doesn't even include its top transfer portal addition, John Blackwell, who many college basketball fans will remember from his time at Wisconsin over the past couple of seasons.

Duke is led by Patrick Ngongba II, who is averaging 19.0 points per game, followed by Dame Sarr at 14.0 and Joaquim Boumtje at 12.0.

The Blue Devils have showcased an explosive offense through their first two games and demonstrated their depth by winning all three exhibition contests, including matchups against No. 8 Tennessee, whom Michigan State will face soon, and Kansas.

Duke is averaging 98.5 points per game compared to Michigan State's 93.5. However, the Blue Devils' 7.5 three-pointers per game are below what the program is accustomed to producing. That highlights Duke's willingness and ability to attack the basket and score in the paint.

Michigan State currently holds the rebounding advantage, averaging 44.5 boards per game compared to Duke's 39.0. However, the free-throw line is where the Blue Devils have separated themselves. Duke is shooting over 70% from the charity stripe, while Tom Izzo's Spartans are converting just 59.4% of their attempts.

This game has the potential to be one of the best matchups of the college basketball season.

Duke enters with the higher ranking and greater expectations, despite Michigan State potentially having the best player in college basketball. The sheer depth of the Blue Devils' roster should give them an edge heading into Tuesday's contest.

With neither team having a home-court advantage, this should be a true battle between two elite programs.

It will be fun to see how the Spartans stack up against Duke, but I'm not convinced they'll be able to come away with the victory.

Michigan State has the talent and experience to make this a competitive game, but Duke's depth could ultimately be too much for the Spartans to overcome.

My final prediction for Tuesday's matchup is:

Michigan State: 74

Duke: 82