Michigan State Men’s Basketball Falls to Duke 66-60 in First Loss of the Season

December 8, 2025

Michigan State, ranked No. 7, hosted No. 4 Duke at the Breslin Center in a highly anticipated matchup between top-10 teams, with the Spartans seeking to solidify their elite status after recent wins over ranked opponents.

Who is affected

Michigan State Spartans basketball team (fell to 8-1)
Duke Blue Devils basketball team (improved to 10-0)
Tom Izzo (Michigan State head coach)
Jeremy Fears Jr. (MSU point guard with 13 assists but 0-for-10 shooting)
Jaxon Kohler (MSU player, 14 points)
Carson Cooper (MSU player, 16 points and 16 rebounds)
Cohen Carr (MSU player, 10 points)
Cam Boozer (Duke forward, 18 points and 15 rebounds)
The home crowd at Breslin Center

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The game has concluded and the article reports on past events.

Why it matters

This game was significant because a victory would have elevated Michigan State into legitimate top-five contender status after they had already built an impressive resume with wins over Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina. The matchup represented a measuring-stick opportunity for the Spartans to prove themselves against elite competition. Duke's victory preserved their undefeated season and reinforced their top-five ranking, while Michigan State's loss—particularly their inability to capitalize on key moments like Boozer's foul trouble—revealed offensive limitations that could impact their championship aspirations.

What's next

Michigan State (8-1) will play at Penn State (8-1) on Saturday
Duke (10-0) will host Texas Tech (7-2) on Saturday night

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle