Michigan State and North Carolina bring an early-season heavyweight feel to Fort Myers, with two unbeaten bluebloods colliding at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. The Spartans come in 6-0 and ranked No. 11 in the AP poll, while the Tar Heels are also 6-0 and sit at No. 16. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX from the Fort Myers Tip-Off, with MSU listed as a 2.5-point favorite.
Michigan State vs. North Carolina Projected Lineups and Key Matchups
Michigan State
- C (15) Carson Cooper (6-11) 10.0
- F (0) Jaxon Kohler (6-9) 15.3
- F (55) Coen Carr (6-5) 11.2
- G (2) Trey Fort (6-4) 7.2
- PG (1) Jeremy Fears Jr. (6-2) 10.8
North Carolina
- C (13) Henri Veesaar (7-0) 16.3
- PF (8) Caleb Wilson (6-10) 20.5
- SF (15) Jarin Stevenson (6-10) 8.0
- SG (44) Luka Bogavac (6-8) 12.2
- PG (0) Kyan Evans (6-2) 8.5
Michigan State’s projected starting five features center Carson Cooper (6-11), forward Jaxon Kohler (6-9), forward Coen Carr (6-5), guard Trey Fort (6-4) and point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (6-2). North Carolina counters with 7-0 center Henri Veesaar, power forward Caleb Wilson at 6-10, 6-10 wing Jarin Stevenson, 6-8 shooting guard Luka Bogavac and 6-2 point guard Kyan Evans. It is length across the board for the Tar Heels, who start four players at 6-5 or taller.
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Wilson is the headline matchup problem. The 6-10 freshman can score on the block with turnaround jumpers, face up and attack off the dribble, or facilitate as a passer. Kohler brings a more physical style that could bother Wilson, but the flip side is foul trouble for the Spartan big if Wilson keeps getting touches.
Veesaar adds another wrinkle as a skilled 7-0 center who passes well and can step out to the perimeter, even if he is not a classic back-to-the-basket scorer.
Michigan State vs. North Carolina Prediction and Preview
Tom Izzo’s team has already stacked quality wins over Arkansas and Kentucky, plus comfortable victories against Colgate, San Jose State, Detroit and East Carolina. Izzo is 742-302 in his 31st season, and this group leans on defense and the glass. The Spartans rank top 10 nationally in defensive efficiency and are among the best offensive rebounding teams in the country, grabbing about 41.7% of their own misses.
Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper form the core, with Fears leading the nation in assists and assist rate and Kohler averaging a double-double with 15.3 points and double-digit boards.
North Carolina counters with its own 6-0 start, highlighted by an 87-74 win over Kansas plus victories over Central Arkansas, Radford, North Carolina Central, Navy and St. Bonaventure. Hubert Davis is 107-45 in his fifth season and has found a new focal point in freshman forward Caleb Wilson, who averages 20.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.5 blocks. The Tar Heels are smothering teams inside the arc, holding opponents to just 35.7% on two-point shots, the best mark in college basketball.
Top-20 matchup.
🆚 Michigan St.
📍 Fort Myers, Fla.
🕟 4:30 PM ET
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/QtdFLOvRK4— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) November 27, 2025
North Carolina is getting Grade A production from star freshman Caleb Wilson (18+ points in four of five games and shooting 61.8% from the field), and if he can keep that up against a strong Spartans defense, the Tar Heels can win the battle of unbeaten.
That said, they are traditionally one of the best rebounding teams in the nation and while that is no different this year, Michigan Stats is cleaning the class at a higher rate. This has a good shot at being the game of the day, and I think Sparty adds an extra possession or two late that UNC relies on.
Michigan State vs North Carolina Prediction: Michigan State wins 77-71
How To Watch Michigan State vs. North Carolina
- TV Channel: FOX
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 84 and 195)
- Website: FOX Sports
