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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Kevin Sweeney

Michigan State’s First-Game Upset Is a Warning

Four returning starters, including Tyson Walker, were not enough to propel Michigan State to a win in its first game.

Dale Young/USA TODAY Sports

Who said the first day of men’s college basketball wouldn’t be exciting?

A slate much-maligned by everyone from casual fans to diehards produced the season’s first epic moment on opening night when James Madison shocked No. 4 Michigan State in overtime. Few things should be truly shocking in early college basketball given the vast roster turnover across the landscape, but this result resonates: A Michigan State team that some believe is Tom Izzo’s last, best chance to win another national championship in East Lansing got outplayed for 45 minutes by a mid-major, albeit one picked to win its league that has legitimate Cinderella aspirations on paper.

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