| Wins against Kentucky - 4 | Losses against Kentucky - 8 |
Alma Mater: Colgate
Date Born: May 11, 1893
Date Died: August 4, 1972
Overall Record: 306-194 [22 Seasons]
| Date | Matchup | UK Result | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10/1948 | Kentucky at Michigan State | W | 47 - 45 | - |
| 1/27/1947 | Michigan State at Kentucky | W | 86 - 36 | - |
| 2/2/1946 | Michigan State at Kentucky | W | 59 - 51 | - |
| 1/12/1946 | Kentucky at Michigan State | W | 55 - 44 | - |
| 2/5/1945 | Kentucky at Michigan State | L | 50 - 66 | - |
| 1/13/1945 | Michigan State at Kentucky | W | 66 - 35 | - |
| 2/7/1938 | Michigan State at Kentucky | W | 44 - 27 | - |
| 1/8/1938 | Kentucky at Michigan State | L | 38 - 43 | - |
| 1/14/1937 | Kentucky at Michigan State | L | 23 - 24 | - |
| 1/2/1937 | Michigan State at Kentucky | W | 28 - 21 | - |
| 1/21/1936 | Michigan State at Kentucky | W | 27 - 19 | - |
| 2/13/1935 | Kentucky at Michigan State | L | 26 - 32 | - |
Obituary - Lansing State Journal (August 9, 1972)
Van Alstyne, Ex-Spartan Coach, Dies
Word was received today of the death of former Michigan State University basketball coach Ben Van Alstyne who died last Friday after a brief illness at a nursing home in Southfield, Mich.
Van Alstyne, 79, coached basketball at Michigan State from 1927 through 1949. He retired after the 1949 season, guiding Spartan teams to 232 victories and 163 losses. His 1930-31 team holds the Spartan record for a season performance at 16-1. Many of his players won national recognition.
Private services were conducted Monday at William R. Hamilton Funeral Home in Birmingham. Interment was in Troy. He is survived by a daughter, Jane Van Alstyne who is on the faculty in fine arts at Montana State University in Cozman, Mont., and a brother, Dr. Guy Van Alstyne who resides at Honey Falls, N.Y.
Michigan State grew from the small time in basketball to the big time under Van Alstyne. His 22 years as head coach is the longest period any basketball coach has held a position at MSU.
Van Alstyne was named to the Helm's Foundation Hall of Fame in 1959 for his contributions to the game. As a college athlete he played basketball, baseball and football at Colgate University.
Van Alstyne also coached golf at Michigan State from 1932 to 1961.
