Tom Izzo is in his 31st season as the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans. And one of his goals, always, is to win a Big Ten championship. We're just a few weeks into the 2025-26 season, and Izzo can brag about dominating the SEC, too. 

His No. 17-ranked Spartans completely dominated No. 12 Kentucky on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York, winning 83-66. The Spartans led by 20 points or more throughout the second half, peaking with a 24-point lead.

Michigan State is off to a 4-0 start that also included a win over then No. 14-ranked Arkansas from the SEC. They are the only team in America with two wins over ranked teams so far in November.

Here's the complete game story from Spartans Roundtable writer Nick Faber.

Spartans Torch Kentucky From Deep, Roll to 4–0 Start Doubts erased as Spartans drain 11 threes, dismantling Kentucky. This offensive explosion ignites a remarkable 4–0 start.

The Spartans showed massive improvement from the perimeter against Kentucky, making 11 three-pointers on Tuesday. They had made only 13 trhees combined in their first three games of the season.

Jaxon Kohler finished with 20 points, and point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. had 13 assists, the most by a Michigan State player against an AP-ranked team since Mateen Cleaves in 1999, according to ESPN Research. Fears had eight assists and zero turnovers in the second half.

Kohler, a 6-foot-9 senior from Utah who is in his fourth season at Michigan State, has led the team in scoring three times already this year. He was tops in scoring only three times all year in 2024-25.

Izzo is always a big fan of playing a difficult nonconference schedule, and it's to see these positive results so early. Here's the rest of their schedule before the Big Ten season kicks into full gear on Jan. 2

Michigan State November/December schedule

Nov. 3 — Michigan State defeated Colgate 80-69 in East Lansing, Mich.
Nov. 8 — Michigan State defeated No. 14 Arkansas 69-66 in East Lansing, Mich.
Nov. 13 — Michigan State defeated San Jose State 79-60 in East Lansing, Mich.
Nov. 18 — Michigan State defeated No. 12 Kentucky 83-66 in New York, N.Y.

Nov. 21 (Fri.) — Detroit Mercy at Michigan State, 6:30 p.m. ET in East Lansing, Mich.
Nov. 25 (Tues.) — East Carolina vs. Michigan State, 1 p.m. ET in Fort Myers, Fla.
Nov. 27 (Thurs.) — No. 18 North Carolina vs. Michigan State, 4:30 p.m. ET in Fort Myers, Fla.
Dec. 2 (Tues.) — Iowa at Michigan State, 7 p.m. ET in East Lansing, Mich.
Dec. 6 (Sat.) — No. 5 Duke at Michigan State, Noon ET in East Lansing, Mich.
Dec. 13 (Sat.) — Michigan State at Penn State, Noon ET in State College, Pa.
Dec. 16 (Tues.) — Toledo at Michigan State, 6:30 p.m. ET in East Lansing, Mich.
Dec. 20 (Sat.) — Michigan State vs. Oakland, Noon ET in Detroit, Mich.
Dec. 29 (Mon.) — Cornell vs. Michigan State, 7 p.m. ET in East Lansing, Mich.