No. 4 Duke vs No. 7 Michigan State: Preview, Matchups, and Prediction
- Joseph Klein
- Dec 5
- 2 min read
No. 4 Duke @ No. 7 Michigan State
Date: December 6, 2025
Location: Breslin Center, East Lansing, Michigan
Time: 12:00 PM ET on FOX
On Saturday, there’s a strong college basketball slate, but the undisputed headliner is the #4 Duke Blue Devils traveling to East Lansing to face the #7 Michigan State Spartans. These two iconic programs meet for the first time since early in the 2023 season, when Duke earned a 74–65 victory. Here’s how the teams stack up and my prediction for this top-10 showdown.
How Do These Two Teams Match Up?
Both Duke and Michigan State enter undefeated and look like two of the strongest teams in the country. One will leave with its first loss of the season.
Duke has been one of the most efficient offensive teams in college basketball, boasting elite shooting numbers across the board. Leading the way is Cameron Boozer, a projected top-five pick who has been one of college basketball's most dominant players, averaging 23.6 points per game (second among Power Five players) and nearly 10 rebounds. His all-around impact is something Michigan State must be prepared for.
As a team, Duke ranks top-10 nationally in offensive efficiency, overall field-goal percentage, mid-range efficiency, and points off offensive rebounds. Defensively, the Blue Devils rank sixth in efficiency, allow the fewest free-throw attempts per game, and hold opponents to 29% from three and 36% from the field. Even if MSU manages to slow Boozer, Duke still has weapons like Patrick Ngongba II and Isaiah Evans who can create significant problems.
Michigan State, meanwhile, has been elite defensively but inconsistent offensively. Statistically, the Spartans have the weakest offense of any AP top-10 team. They struggle from the perimeter and at times have difficulty generating clean looks inside. But defensively, they’ve been outstanding, ranking second in efficiency, seventh in opponent field-goal percentage, 11th in opponent three-point percentage, and eighth in limiting second-chance points. If MSU wins this game, it will almost certainly be on the strength of its defense. And with Tom Izzo on the sidelines, there’s always the possibility he has something special prepared.
Bottom Line
The better defensive team should win by a clear margin, and right now, that looks like Duke.
Michigan State does have the advantage of playing at home, and Duke hasn’t played its best basketball on the road. However, Duke has been one of the most consistent teams in the country, while Michigan State has shown noticeable flashes of inconsistency.
Explore NBA Draft Coverage
Visit the Babcock Hoops 2026 NBA Draft Big Board to see how this season’s top college talent stacks up, with rankings and links to scouting reports →
