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The Duke Blue Devils have breezed through their first two games, but their first real challenge arrives Tuesday night in Chicago at the Champions Classic against No. 6 Michigan State. Duke has looked like the nation's top team in the early going, and this matchup will reveal whether Jon Scheyer's squad is truly a cut above the rest. Michigan State, a legitimate Final Four contender, appears to be a tier below the Blue Devils, Florida, Illinois, and UConn at this point.
Before Scheyer and Tom Izzo renew their rivalry, here are three Michigan State players to keep an eye on.
Jeremy Fears Jr.
Everything for the Spartans starts with point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., widely regarded as the best passer in college basketball and arguably the best player in the sport. Last season, he earned AP Second Team All-America honors after averaging 15.2 points and a nation-leading 9.4 assists per game. This year's Michigan State team has a different look, but its success still hinges on Fears. Few top-10 teams rely on a single player as much as the Spartans do on their star guard. When Fears is both scoring and distributing at a high level, Michigan State is tough to beat. However, Duke found a way last season in East Lansing by neutralizing one of those areas. The Blue Devils won 66-60, holding Fears to six points on 0-of-10 shooting from the field, though he did dish out 13 assists. Duke's deep and talented backcourt could play a pivotal role in this game.
Jordan Scott
Jordan Scott is a future NBA player who deserves more attention on 2027 draft boards. Standing 6-foot-8, Scott possesses immense long-term scoring potential. As a freshman last season, the Virginia native averaged 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 41.1% from the field and 37% from three-point range on 2.9 attempts per game. He has started his sophomore campaign on fire, putting up 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 45.5% shooting in Michigan State's first two contests. He is also attempting 11.0 shots per game. Although he is shooting just 27.3% from beyond the arc on over five attempts per game, his shooting potential is far greater. Dame Sarr will likely draw the primary assignment on Scott, and much of the Spartans' scoring will flow through the sophomore.
Jasiah Jervis
Freshmen rarely start immediately under Izzo, but four-star recruit Jasiah Jervis has started both games for the Spartans this season. The 6-foot-4 guard plays with confidence, attempting 15 shots in his first two collegiate games, including a 16-point performance against Toledo on 5-of-9 shooting. Once again, Duke's guard depth could be a major advantage here. Fears and Jervis form a high-caliber backcourt duo, but the Spartans' depth behind them is uncertain. Freshman Carlos Medlock Jr. has shown flashes early, and Kur Teng possesses high shooting upside. However, no team boasts four uber-talented guards like Scheyer and company do.
Coen Carr
If Coen Carr had a consistent jump shot, he would undoubtedly be in the NBA right now. Even without it, the forward is one of the best pure athletes college basketball has seen in years. Michigan State is almost always elite defensively under Izzo, and this game could be a great early test for Duke's transition defense. The Spartans have forced 28 turnovers in their first two games against Quinnipiac and Toledo, and Carr in the open floor is one of the toughest covers a team can face. This matchup features two of the top defensive teams in the country, but turnovers have been Duke's only issue so far this year. Allowing Michigan State to get out in transition, especially Carr, could spell trouble.
Hugh Straine is an accomplished writer and proud Bucknell University alumnus, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. He has served as editor of The Bucknellian, worked as an analyst for ESPN+ and Hulu, and currently reports on college sports as a general reporter for On SI. Follow HughStraine.