Senior guard Denzel Valentine finished the game with 13 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, but did not score a basket in the second half.

With Maryland and Kentucky each losing this week, a potential number one ranking was on the line for MSU, a feat the program has only accomplished three times in its history, the 1978-79 season, the 2000-01 season and early in the 2013-14 season.

MSU wasted no time, jumping out to an early 9-0 lead, with the Bearcats not making their first field goal until almost four minutes into the game, and finishing the first half with only four made field goals while trailing 41-12.

MSU held the Bearcats leading scorer sophomore Willie Rodriguez well below his season average of 17 points per game, including 2-11 from the field for six points.

The Bearcats’ roster includes only one senior and three juniors, and their inexperience showed early on, as MSU jumped all over them.

It wasn’t perfect for MSU, however, as they opened the second half with two quick turnovers and four early fouls causing head coach Tom Izzo to take a couple of early timeouts.

Sophomore forward Marvin Clark III scored a season high nine points and six rebounds as he continues to get into game shape, after having foot surgery over the summer.

MSU’s defense was dominant today, holding the Bearcats to 16.7 percent from the floor and 11.8 percent from the three point line. The Bearcats also had 10 turnovers, leading to 15 for MSU off of those turnovers.

MSU will next take on Maryland-Eastern Shore on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at Breslin Center, while the Bearcats will stay in Michigan to take on Oakland University on Monday, Dec. 7 in Rochester.