Categories
default

What you need to know about the Champions Classic and other top early season hoops games

ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, NOV. 3-4 - FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2011, file photo, North Carolina forward John Henson (31) tries to block a shot by Michigan State center Adreian Payne (5) during the first half of the Carrier Classic NCAA college basketball game aboard the USS Carl Vinson in Coronado, Calif. It was a college basketball game like none before, played on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. The college hoops season will begin next Friday with three games afloat, two on aircraft carriers and one on an amphibious assault ship, and another in a hangar at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Image Courtesy: New York Times

Due to Election Day, the Champions Classic was pushed back to the second week of the season, a change many people in the college basketball world believe is beneficial. Here is everything you need to know about (and my score prediction) for Kansas-Duke, Kentucky-Michigan State, and other top match-ups this upcoming week in college hoops:

November 11
Michigan State vs. 2.Gonzaga (USS Abraham Lincoln; Armed Forces Classic)
TBD, ESPN
With star big man Drew Timme back, Gonzaga has a chance to get back to a national title. The first steps for the Bulldogs will be facing a tough, Tom Izzo-coached Michigan State Spartan team. The Zags will win on the aircraft carrier but it will be closer than you might think. Projected Score: Gonzaga 77, Michigan State 72

November 15
4.Kentucky vs. Michigan State (Indianapolis; Champions Classic)
7 PM ET, ESPN
Michigan State might have the two hardest games to open their season first against Gonzaga and then in this one against Kentucky. Like Gonzaga, Kentucky has a star center. Reigning national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe mans the middle for the Wildcats and with experienced wing Jacob Toppin, experienced guard Savhir Wheeler, and talented freshman guard Cason Wallace next to him, this Kentucky team will be hard to beat, looking to avoid their fate from last year. Projected Score: Kentucky 85, Michigan State 70

5.Kansas vs. 7.Duke (Indianapolis; Champions Classic)
9:30 PM ET, ESPN
In what could be a future Final Four match-up in 2023, Duke coach John Scheyer makes his debut at the Champions Classic against reigning national champion Kansas. Due to a self-imposed suspension, the Jayhawks will be without their head coach Bill Self not only for this game but for the first four games of the season. For Kansas, they will be reliant upon sophomore wing Jalen Wilson making big improvements to his game in his second year with the team as well as talented freshman Gradey Dick. Even without Coach K at the helm, Duke brought in the top class in the country for 2022, and its headlined by Dariq Whitehead, Dereck Lively, and Kyle Filipowski in addition to returning point guard Jeremy Roach. This game is going to be great. Projected Score: Duke 71, Kansas 68

By Carter Huff

Please enjoy all of my content :) <3-Carter.

One reply on “What you need to know about the Champions Classic and other top early season hoops games”

Leave a Reply