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Key Spartans to Watch For Against No. 1 Kansas

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Key Spartans to Watch For Against No. 1 Kansas


The Michigan State Spartans will take on the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks in the Champions Classic in Atlanta, Ga., later this evening. 

The Spartans and Jayhawks are the early match-up of the four blue bloods who compete in this early season series, with the Kentucky Wildcats and Duke Blue Devils set to face off at the conclusion of Michigan State-Kansas. 

As Coach Bill Self often does, the Jayhawks have an impressive squad. They feature preseason All-American Hunter Dickinson, formerly of the Michigan Wolverines. They also have experienced players like point guard Dajuan Harris Jr. and guard Zeke Mayo. 

It will take everything Tom Izzo’s team has to pull off this upset. 

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So, which players must step up and lead the Spartans to victory? 

Let’s identify three players who must rise to the occasion. 

Forward Frankie Fidler – In Michigan State’s first two games, Fidler has not had the shooting performance Spartan fans expected from the Omaha transfer. 

Fidler is averaging 10.0 points per game on 35.7 percent shooting from the field and just 20.0 from 3-point range. The Spartans brought in Fidler to be a marksman from the outside, which has not come to fruition so far. 

Michigan State will need Fidler to find his range in this game if it wants to pick up its second Champions Classic victory since 2022. 

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Forward Xavier Booker – Booker has not exploded onto the scene in his sophomore season yet, so now is as good a time as any for him to make the second-year leap. 

Booker has struggled to shoot the ball in the Spartans’ first two games, not looking confident in his decision-making on offense. That will need to change if Michigan State wants to have any chance to pull off an upset against the top-ranked Jayhawks. 

Booker has all the talent in the world. He can shoot the 3-ball well and defend in space and at the rim. He has NBA talent if he can put it all together, and it would certainly help Michigan State if he made that happen tonight. 

Guard Tre Holloman – The junior will face some tough guard competition, so the defensive-minded, scrappy Holloman must rise to the occasion. 

Holloman struggled in the first game of the season against Monmouth but bounced back against Niagara. Izzo expects Holloman to be a major contributor this year due to his experience and versatility on both ends. 

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Holloman’s skill set will be a major X-factor in determining whether or not the Spartans can pull off this upset. 

Don’t forget to follow the official Spartan Nation Page on Facebook Spartan Nation WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be a part of our vibrant community group Go Green Go White as well WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.



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Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time

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Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time


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The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats play against the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 basketball game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. CT on FS1. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.

The Arizona squad has played at a high level this season, as it enters this matchup with a 14-0 record. The team is coming off a 97-78 win against the Utah Utes.

In order to win tonight’s game, Arizona will need to rely on its forward Koa Peat. He leads the team in scoring this season, as he averages more than 14 points per game.

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The Kansas State squad enters this matchup with a 9-5 record, but the team is coming off an 83-73 loss against BYU.

In order to bounce back tonight, Kansas State will need a great performance from its guard P.J. Haggerty. He averages 23 points per game, which leads the team.

Fans can watch this Big 12 basketball game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.



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TCU gives Kansas a scare, but Jayhawks erase 16-point deficit to survive in overtime

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TCU gives Kansas a scare, but Jayhawks erase 16-point deficit to survive in overtime


LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Darryn Peterson scored 32 points, including three crucial free throws in regulation to tie the game, and No. 22 Kansas erased a double-digit deficit to outlast TCU 104-100 in overtime on Tuesday night.

Kansas (11-4, 1-1 Big 12) trailed by 16 points midway through the second half, but cut the TCU lead to three with 34 seconds left in regulation.

The Jayhawks’ next trip down the court was fruitless, leading to a foul and two free throws by TCU’s Liutauras Lelevicius. Kansas’ Flory Bidunga cut the lead back to three on a tip in with just over six seconds remaining.

After a turnover on the ensuing TCU inbounds play, the Jayhawks got the ball to Peterson, who drew a foul beyond the arc and knocked down all three free throws to tie the game at the end of regulation.

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Kansas held the lead throughout overtime and ultimately secured the game at the free-throw line, converting 9 of 11. TCU (11-4, 1-1) went 2 for 4 in the same frame. Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. scored nine of his 18 points during overtime.

Lelevicius led the Horned Frogs with a career-high 23 points. He shot 7 for 9 and hit five 3-pointers, another career high. He entered the game averaging just 8.5 points per game and shooting 35.8% from 3-point range.

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Lelevicius outscored sophomore David Punch, who recorded his 10th consecutive double-digit performance with 20 points. He also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Tre White and Bidunga also finished in double figures for the Jayhawks, recording 22 and 16, respectively.

Up next

Kansas: Plays at West Virginia on Saturday.

TCU: Hosts Arizona on Saturday.

Find more TCU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT

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Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT


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MANHATTAN — Right when you thought Kansas State football might be done for the day, the Wildcats landed a seventh commitment from the transfer portal on Monday, Jan. 5.

Gardner-Webb defensive tackle De’Arieun Hicks committed to K-State, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder has three years of eligibility and totaled 21 tackles, with 4.5 being for a loss in 2025.

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Hicks reportedly had a visit to Iowa State on Monday, after spending Jan. 3 with the Wildcats, and he chose to play football in Manhattan.

Hicks was a standout for the FCS program out of the Big South, playing 373 snaps and making four starts on the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ defensive line. He was the Big South’s sixth-highest graded defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus, with the league’s 12th-best pass rush grade.

Hicks totaled 10 pressures, with seven quarterback hurries and a pair of sacks across 12 games.

Out of high school in Richmond, Indiana, Hicks wasn’t given a grade by 247Sports.

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Kansas State was in desperate need of defensive linemen from the transfer portal following the departures of Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder and Andy Burburija, the latter of whom reopened his recruitment after initially signing with the Wildcats. The Wildcats also signed Adrian Bekibele, Kingston Hall and Carnell Jackson Jr. during December’s signing period.

Hicks’ size is certainly appealing, giving the Wildcats a solid prospect to develop. Given the Wildcats’ need at the position, Hicks could have an opportunity to get on the field quickly.

Hicks joins Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr., Texas A&M receiver Izaiah Williams, Illinois corner Kaleb Patterson, Oklahoma State linebacker Jacobi Oliphant, Miami (Ohio) safety Koy Beasley and Missouri offensive lineman Keiton Jones as those who committed to the Wildcats on Monday.

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

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