Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) high fives a teammate at the end of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State upsets No. 4 Kentucky, 86-77, in 2OT

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 11/15/22

It's nice to have college basketball back, isn't it? It's especially nice when the games feature two of the best programs not just in the country, but in college basketball history.

Tom Izzo is a future Hall of Famer. His Spartans may not have played like it recently and they certainly weren't ranked highly coming into this one, but an upset win over No. 4 Kentucky is just what the doctor ordered for the Spartans.

After this one, they're bound to be flying up the rankings.

With another future Hall of Famer on the other bench in John Calipari, Izzo watched as his Spartans pushed one of the best teams in the nation to double overtime and ultimately a defeat.

Free throws played a major factor in the win for MSU, as did this Mady Sissoko dunk in the second overtime that was essentially the dagger.

Fantastic 2OT from Tyson Walker ending with this perfect lob to Mady Sissoko which is going to end up getting Michigan State the win over Kentucky! pic.twitter.com/SpjjoeWhZY
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) November 16, 2022

Senior forward Joey Hauser led the way for the Spartans with 23 points and eight rebounds on 8-of-16 shooting from the field.

Another senior forward, Malik Hall, added 20 points and five boards and the aforementioned Sissoko had 16 points and eight rebounds.

The star for Kentucky was senior forward Oscar Tshiebwe, who came off the bench for 22 points and 18 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass.

Michigan State made its money outshooting Kentucky from deep, 36.8% to 28%, and at the free throw line. The Spartans hit 23-of-27 freebies while Kentucky shot just 66.7% from the line, going 16-of-24.

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