Checking for the score of the MSU basketball game feels like a ritual for anyone in East Lansing or the surrounding 517 area code. Honestly, it doesn't matter if you're a die-hard Izzone member or just someone who casually checks the Big Ten standings while waiting for your coffee. You just want to know if the Spartans are winning.
Right now, it is Saturday, January 17, 2026, and No. 12 Michigan State is currently out West. They are facing off against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle.
Current Game Status: MSU vs. Washington
The game is scheduled for a 6:00 PM EST tip-off. Because of the time zone difference, it's a bit of a weird dinner-time start for those of us back in Michigan. If you are looking for the live score right this second and the clock hasn't hit 6:00 PM yet, the game hasn't started.
Once that ball goes up, you can catch the live broadcast on the Big Ten Network (BTN).
Why this game matters
This isn't just another road trip. This is the start of a critical West Coast swing for Tom Izzo’s squad. Last year, the Spartans had a rough go of it when traveling to the Pacific time zone, going 0-2 against UCLA and USC. Izzo has been pretty vocal about the "mental toughness" needed for these long flights. Basically, he's tired of the excuses about jet lag and wants to see the team grind out a win in a hostile environment.
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Coming off a massive 81-60 win over Indiana last Tuesday, the vibes are high. Jeremy Fears Jr. is playing out of his mind lately. He dropped a career-high 23 points against the Hoosiers, and honestly, the way he’s been getting to the free-throw line makes him look like a completely different player than he was earlier in the season.
Breaking down the Spartans' season so far
If you haven't been keeping a close eye on the box scores, Michigan State is sitting at 15-2 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten.
Their only losses?
- A tight 60-66 loss to No. 6 Duke back in December.
- A frustrating 56-58 road loss against a sneaky-good Nebraska team.
Outside of those two blips, they've been dominant. The defense is currently ranked second in the Big Ten, holding opponents to about 64 points per game. That’s classic Izzo basketball—hard-nosed, frustrating defense that makes you earn every single bucket.
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Player stats you should know
- Jaxon Kohler: The senior forward is a double-double machine. He’s averaging 14.4 points and 10.1 rebounds. Watching him battle Washington's freshman phenom Hannes Steinbach down low is going to be the highlight of tonight's game.
- Jeremy Fears Jr.: As the floor general, he’s averaging 12.8 points but more importantly, 8.8 assists per game. When Fears is efficient, MSU is almost impossible to beat.
- Coen Carr: Still the most athletic guy on the floor at any given time. He’s putting up 11.3 points per game and provides those momentum-shifting dunks that silence road crowds.
The matchup: Can the Huskies pull the upset?
Washington is 10-6 and 2-3 in conference play. They aren't exactly world-beaters, but they play well at home. Their big man, Steinbach, is averaging 18 points and is arguably one of the best newcomers in the country.
Washington’s roster is a bit of a "Frankenstein’s monster" situation—they have eight new transfers. Sometimes that lack of chemistry shows, but when they're clicking, they have enough pure talent to hang with anyone. They rank 43rd nationally in rebounding, which is the one area you cannot let MSU beat you in if you want a chance.
What happened with the MSU Women's team?
If you're actually looking for the score of the MSU basketball game regarding the women's team, they've been on an absolute tear.
The No. 2-ranked Minnesota State women's team (often referred to as MSU in regional news) just escaped with an 81-78 victory over Minnesota Duluth yesterday, January 16. They are currently undefeated at 17-0.
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Meanwhile, the Michigan State Women’s team just pulled off a gutsy 73-71 win over No. 24 Nebraska. It seems like both the men's and women's programs are peaking at the exact same time this January.
How to track the score live
If you aren't near a TV to watch BTN, you have a few solid options:
- Spartan Sports Network: Tune in to the radio broadcast. There's something nostalgic about hearing the call over the airwaves, and the local commentators always give better insight than the national guys.
- Official MSU Athletics App: This is usually the fastest way to get play-by-play updates without the lag of some third-party sports apps.
- Social Media: Follow the official @MSU_Basketball X (formerly Twitter) account. They post score updates at every media timeout.
Looking ahead at the schedule
After Seattle, the Spartans don't get much of a break. They stay on the West Coast to face Oregon in Eugene on Tuesday, January 20. Then they finally head back home to the Breslin Center for "Alumni Day" against Maryland on January 24.
The Big Ten is a gauntlet this year. Every road game feels like a trap. But with the way this roster is rebounding (9th in the nation!) and the defensive intensity they're showing, there's a real belief that this could be a deep March Madness run.
Final thoughts for the game
Keep an eye on the turnover margin tonight. In the losses to Duke and Nebraska, MSU struggled with ball security. If Fears and the freshmen—Cam Ward and Jordan Scott—can keep their composure in a loud Alaska Airlines Arena, the Spartans should cover the spread.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Set your DVR: Ensure you have the Big Ten Network recorded if you can't watch live at 6 PM EST.
- Check the spread: If you're into sports betting, MSU opened as a slight road favorite, but that could shift as tip-off approaches.
- Follow the hashtag: Use #GoGreen on social media to see real-time reactions and highlights from the Seattle crowd.