The Hype Is Real: No. 5 Michigan State Stuns No. 2 Duke 79-73

Tom Izzo eats 7.5-point favorites for breakfast.

The No. 5 Michigan State Spartans stunned the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils in a game that ended much closer than it actually was, beating Duke 79-73 in Chicago to kick off the Champions Classic.

Michigan State was a whirlwind that Duke was not ready for and had no answer to. Like a tornado in the night, the Spartans ripped the top off the arena and never let it come back down. It looked as if Pat Fitzgerald was coaching the Spartans because they played more like a football team than a basketball team, which we all know makes Tom Izzo a very proud man.

With the Spartans playing more like a football team and following Nick Sheridan's quote to the football team, "Violence will be rewarded," fouls came in hot and heavy against Izzo's Spartans. But that didn't stop Michigan State from continuing its ferocious defensive attack all game long.

The Spartans' ruthless defense was the star of the show. Relentless pursuit of the ball led to mistimed shots and endless turnovers for Duke. The Spartans barely allowed the Blue Devils to get shots off, blocking everything in sight. Looking like a team full of Dikembe Mutombos, Michigan State showcased its jumping ability. The Spartans' defense has been unrelenting, and at times, I had to remind myself whether I was watching MSU basketball or MSU football.

The defense stuck to every Duke player, getting its hands in on every play. When Duke finally managed to get a shot away, it was either so tightly contested that the ball had little chance of falling or the Spartans simply packed the Blue Devils' lunch. Michigan State recorded three blocks in the first eight minutes alone.

It may not have been the most pristine offensive performance, but it didn't need to be for Tom Izzo's Spartans. They made the shots that needed to fall, continuously keeping their lead just out of reach for Duke. Anytime the Blue Devils hit a big shot and created a seedling of fear in the pit of Spartans fans' stomachs, the boys in green answered with a massive shot of their own.

The best part about those big shots was that they came from almost every player on the team. At times, it was freshmen Jasiah Jervis or Carlos Medlock Jr. Other times, it was sophomores Jordan Scott, Cam Ward or Jesse McCullough. And, as always, it could be Jeremy Fears Jr. It was another showcase of the depth Michigan State has this year.

Yet again, Izzo played 11 Spartans, trusting each and every one of them and getting everyone involved during crucial moments of a top-five matchup.

The Spartans dominated the first half, taking the lead to start the game and never looking back.

Michigan State held Duke to 26% shooting from the field and 17% from three-point range. Fears scored or assisted on 22 of the Spartans' 34 first-half points. Overall, Duke finished the game shooting just 33% from the field and 24% from three.

The Blue Devils clawed back late to make the final margin a more manageable six points, but don't let the final score fool you. The Spartans held a double-digit lead for the majority of the game and were in control throughout.

Michigan State even lost the rebounding battle 40-38 and tied Duke in turnovers at 13 apiece, despite the Spartans' early advantage in that category. The final statistics somewhat favored Duke in several areas, including assists and fast-break points, where the Blue Devils held a narrow 12-11 advantage.

However, one major statistic made the difference.

The Spartans won by six points, and Michigan State's bench outscored Duke's by seven. The depth this team has is unreal, and it's showing up in the biggest games.

The Spartans came into the game knowing exactly what task was ahead of them. Starting fast was essential, as falling into an early-game lull, something Michigan State has done more often than not going back to last year, would have been detrimental.

But Michigan State was up to the task.

The Spartans created five turnovers in the first four minutes, immediately showcasing their impressive intensity. The shooting was right on par, and Michigan State jumped out to an early 11-2 lead. From there, the Spartans never looked back, finishing off the Blue Devils 79-73.

What's Next for Michigan State?

Next up, the Spartans will return home to take on Northern Iowa on Friday at the Breslin Center for Military Appreciation Night. After taking down the No. 2 team in the country, Michigan State will look to carry that momentum back to East Lansing.