Kansas and Michigan State Win at Champions Classic

The annual Champions Classic isn’t one of the early season college basketball tournament. It’s actually a pair of games featuring some high profile programs, and hopefully a couple of exciting games. This year’s edition on November 15th lived up to the billing.

Game 1 featured fourth ranked Kentucky (2-0) versus unranked, but perennial Big 10 powerhouse Michigan State (1-1). The Spartan’s loss was by one point to #2 Gonzaga. The Wildcats and Spartans were tied at 62 at the end of regulation, and at 71 at the end of the 1st overtime before the Spartans pulled away in the second overtime for an 86-77 win over Kentucky. Joey Hauser led the Spartans with 23 points while Malik Hall added 20. Oscar Tshiebwe led Kentucky with 22 points.

Game 2 matched #7 Duke (2-0) under new coach Jon Scheyer, against sixth ranked and defending national champions Kansas (2-0). Duke led by five with 4:39 left before Kansas put on a late game rally for a 69-64 victory. Jalen Wilson had a double double for the Jayhawks, scoring 25 points with 11 rebounds to lead Kansas in both categories. The Blue Devils’ Kyle Filipowski had a double double himself, scoring 17 points and hauling down 14 rebounds.