After stirring blowouts to kick-off their respective campaigns in the new season, Michigan State Spartans and Kentucky Wildcats will face off against each other in an early battle between top-ranked teams and preseason favorites.

Michigan State started the 2013 season with a 98-56 win over the unknown and unranked McNeese State Cowboys while Kentucky opened with back-to-back blowout wins over Northern Kentucky Norse (93-63) and NC Asheville Bulldogs (89-57), both also unheralded teams in the NCAA.

The true test comes Tuesday evening when the teams pegged as the two of the best in the nation take the court at the United Center in Illinois, Chicago.

Kentucky's NBA prospect Julius Randle has impressed with averages of 22.5 points, 14.5 rebounds but those came against lowly teams. Against Tom Izzo’s Michigan State he might have difficulty getting those types of numbers.

Six players scored in double-figures for Michigan State in their first outing led by Gary Harris, who had 20 points and added 10 rebounds and 6 assists.

The last time these teams met was in the Final Four of the 2005 NCAA Tournament where the Spartans defeated the Wildcats in double-overtime, 94-88.

Betting Against the Spread (ATS)

Betting Line: Michigan State (-4) vs. Kentucky (O/U: 147.0)

Kentucky Wildcats Trends
- Wildcats are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. Big Ten teams
- Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games
- Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games

Michigan State Spartans Trends
- Spartans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. Southeastern teams
- Spartans are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games after a win
- Spartans are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games on Tuesdays