Michigan State Spartans vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction, 11/18/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Michigan State Spartans vs Kentucky Wildcats

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

TV: ESPN

Madison Square Garden is where the Kentucky Wildcats (2-1) will meet the Michigan State Spartans (2-0) on Tuesday.

The Michigan State Spartans faced off with San Jose State and took home the win by a score of 79-60 in their last contest. Michigan State ended the contest with a 48.3% field goal percentage (28 out of 58) and made 6 of their 25 shots from beyond the perimeter. From the free throw line, the Spartans knocked down 17 of their 25 tries for a percentage of 68.0%. In the matter of pulling down rebounds, they earned 42 with 12 of them being offensive. They also doled out 25 dimes in this contest in addition to forcing 8 turnovers and earning 7 steals. With regard to defending, Michigan State let their opponent shoot 35.7% from the field on 20 of 56 shooting. San Jose State earned 10 dimes and had 6 steals in the matchup. Moreover, San Jose State grabbed 26 rebounds (7 offensive, 19 defensive), but didn't notch a block. San Jose State ended up shooting 66.7% from the charity stripe by making 12 of 18 tries. They also made 8 of 27 tries from distance. Regarding fouls, the Spartans left the arena with 17 while San Jose State totaled 21 fouls.

Carson Cooper is one guy who was a contributor for the contest. He finished the game at 85.7% from the field and totaled 2 assists. He played for 27 minutes played and also totaled 7 rebounds. He ended up scoring 17 points on 6 of 7 shooting.

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Michigan State steps onto the court with a mark of 2-0 this season. They average 74.5 points per game (253rd in college hoops) while shooting 41.3% from the field. The Spartans are shooting 20.0% from downtown (7 of 35) and 66.7% from the free throw line. As a unit, Michigan State is pulling down 46.0 rebounds per game and has accounted for 36 dimes so far this season, which has them ranked 278th in the nation in terms of passing the ball. They turn it over 12.0 times per game and as a team they are committing 14.0 personal fouls every game.

On defense, the Spartans have forced 12.0 turnovers per contest and they draw 22.3 personal fouls. They are currently ranked 80th in college in giving up assists to the opposition with 40 conceded this year. The Spartans are giving up a FG percentage of 40.8% (69 of 169) and they relinquish 28.0 rebounds per game as a unit. They are relinquishing 31.0% on 3-point shots and they are 66th in Division 1 in PPG allowed (65.0).

When they last stepped on the court, the Kentucky Wildcats walked away with a victory by a final of 99-53 against Eastern Illinois. In regard to rebounding, Kentucky permitted Eastern Illinois to snag 15 in all (3 on the offensive glass). They finished 33.3% from downtown by going 6 out of 18 and walked away from this one shooting 13 of 19 from the free throw line (68.4%). The Wildcats allowed Eastern Illinois to convert 17 out of 52 tries from the floor which had them at 32.7% in the matchup. Overall, the Wildcats ended up going 39 for 64 from the field which had them sitting at 60.9%. In reference to shooting from 3-point land, Kentucky buried 9 of 25 tries (36.0%). They were able to bury 12 of them for a rate of 75.0%. Eastern Illinois had 12 personal fouls in this contest which took the Wildcats to the free throw line for 16 tries. They turned it over 13 times, while getting 8 steals for the game. The Wildcats corralled 33 defensive rebounds and 13 offensive boards for a total of 46 for the contest.

Mouhamed Dioubate ended up being a factor for the Wildcats in this game. He converted 8 out of 9 for the matchup giving him a field goal percentage of 88.9%, and had 11 rebounds. He recorded 20 points in his 22 mins of playing time and had 1 assist in the game.

Kentucky has a mark of 2-1 on the year. The Wildcats commit 18.0 personal fouls per game while shooting 71.9% from the free throw line. They are dishing out assists 20.7 times per contest (25th in Division 1) and they cough up possession 11.0 times per contest. Kentucky has scored 272 points this year (90.7 per game) and they average 47.7 boards per contest. As an offense, the Wildcats are hitting on 49.5% from the field, which ranks them 83rd in college.

The Wildcats defensively are ranked 61st in D-1 in points allowed per contest with 64.8. They are forcing 9.5 turnovers on a nightly basis and have allowed teams to shoot 34.4% from the field (14th in college). The Kentucky defense surrenders 26.7% on 3-point attempts (31 of 116) and opponents are connecting on 67.4% of their free throw attempts. They have relinquished 12.8 assists and 30.3 boards on a nightly basis, which has them ranked 167th and 51st in D-1.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Kentucky

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