No. 5 Michigan State pulled off a statement victory over No. 2 Duke, winning 79-73 in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night. The Spartans' triumph marked a significant early-season win for Tom Izzo's program against one of college basketball's traditional powerhouses.
Michigan State's standout performer was Fears, who delivered a star-turning performance to lead the upset. The victory improves the Spartans' resume considerably in the early going of the 2026-27 season, while handing Duke its first loss of the campaign.
The Champions Classic, held annually as a showcase of premier programs, lived up to its billing with a tightly contested matchup between two top-five teams. Michigan State's ability to execute down the stretch proved decisive in a game that featured multiple lead changes and high-level play throughout.
