In the 132 games played between Michigan State and Northwestern, the Spartans lead the series 93-38. Coach Tom Izzo has led this team to the fourth spot in the AP Poll and USA Today Coaches poll as they head into the opening Big Ten conference game. This will be Coach Izzo’s 26th season on the Michigan State bench. He is 16-9 in his 25 previous Big Ten openers. The Wildcats come into this game with a 3-1 record on the backs of a new offense. Miller Kopp comes into this game as their leading scorer with 16.