The 2024-25 men’s college basketball season began last Monday with a slew of games. For many across the country, though, their attention won’t be fixed on the sport until Tuesday night, when four of the best, most consistently successful programs in the country square off against one another.
The 2024 Champions Classic will tip off at State Farm Arena in Atlanta with No. 1 Kansas taking on Michigan State, a matchup that will be followed later in the night by a game between No. 6 Duke and No. 18 Kentucky.
The Jayhawks entered the season as the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and remained there after an undefeated first week that was finished off by a 92-89 victory against then-No. 10 North Carolina inside a raucous Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. Coach Bill Self’s team led by as many as 20 before squandering the lead late and rallying for the win.
REQUIRED READING:What channel is the Champions Classic on today? Time, TV schedule to watch CBB event
Kansas will face yet another test on Tuesday against the Spartans, who are ranked outside of the top 25 of the Coaches Poll, but have won at least 20 games in 12 consecutive full seasons. Tom Izzo’s team is also off to a 2-0 start after being picked to finish fifth in the preseason the newly reconfigured 18-team Big Ten.
Follow along here for the live score, updates, highlights and more from Kansas vs. Michigan State basketball in the Champions Classic:
| TEAMS | 1H | 2H | F |
| KANSAS | 30 | 28 | |
| MICHIGAN STATE | 24 | 28 |
In what has been a back-and-forth, closely contested second half, Kansas is starting to create some distance, now with a multi-possession lead.
A 3-pointer from Wisconsin transfer AJ Storr has the Jayhawks up five and with a free throw from Hunter Dickinson, that advantage is now up to six with 7:17 left.
The Spartans have been ice cold from beyond the arc, missing 15 of their first 16 3-pointers. That didn't deter Jaxon Kohler, though, who pulls up from near the top of the key and drains a shot to tie the game at 52 with 8:51 remaining, prompting a timeout from Bill Self.
After a slog of a first half, the Jayhawks and Spartans are starting to deliver some excitement at the Champions Classic.
The teams have combined to make 13 of their 25 shots in the second half. Notably, Hunter Dickinson is now up to 23 points on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting, along with a game-high eight rebounds.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback and former Michigan State star Kirk Cousins made the quick trip over to State Farm Arena to watch his alma mater take on Kansas.
Cousins is one of several former Spartans at the game, along with Steve Smith (who spent five of his 14 NBA seasons with the Atlanta Hawks) and Mark Dantonio.
The Spartans are now within a bucket, having outscored Kansas 8-4 in the opening four minutes of the second half.
Frankie Fidler has led the way for Michigan State with four points in the second half.
The Jayhawks broke the game open a bit in the final minutes of the half, using a 12-2 run to take a 30-20 lead before Jase Richardson's four-point play kept Michigan State within striking distance.
Some halftime stats:
Kansas' Hunter Dickinson leading all players with 15 points and six rebounds while Richardson came off the bench to pace Michigan State with eight points.
Prized freshman Jase Richardson, the son of former NBA and Michigan State star Jason Richardson, has been one of the bright spots for Michigan State thus far and just turned in his most impressive play yet.
With the Spartans trailing by 10 in the final seconds of the first half, Richardson drains a 3-pointer and is fouled. He heads to the line and makes the free throw to complete the four-point play and get Michigan State within six at halftime.
Following a brutal start, Kansas is starting to find its rhythm offensively. The Jayhawks are on a 7-0 run over the past 1:42 to give the Jayhawks a 23-18 lead with 3:20 remaining in the first half.
After missing 21 of its first 27 shots, Bill Self's team has made four of its past five attempts. Hunter Dickinson is up to 15 points and has made seven of his 10 field goals.
For as much of an offensive struggle as it has been thus far for the Spartans and Jayhawks, at least one player has delivered.
Hunter Dickinson is up to 10 points with 7:05 remaining in the first half, accounting for the overwhelming majority of Kansas' scoring output. He has made five of his team's six field goals. He has a game-high four rebounds, as well.
It's tied at 10 halfway through the first half, which has largely been a product of poor shooting. Both teams, especially Kansas, have gotten some good looks, but haven't been able to knock them down.
The Jayhawks and Spartans have combined to make just six of their 32 shots. Hunter Dickinson is four of five. Everyone else is two of 27.
The Spartans got off to a slow start, but have scored six unanswered to tie the game with 13:13 left in the first half.
Kansas has been held without a point for 4:08. After making four of their first eight shots, the Jayhawks have missed their past 10 attempts.
Jayhawks big man Hunter Dickinson is no stranger to Michigan State, having played the Spartans for three seasons at Michigan. He's putting that familiarity to good use so far, having scored all eight of Kansas' points early on.
The three referees working Tuesday night's game in Atlanta between Kansas and Michigan State are Keith Kimble, Paul Szelc and Tony Padilla.
Here's a look at the starting lineups Tuesday night for the Jayhawks and Spartans, according to the StatBroadcast feed:
Kansas
Michigan State
Kansas' game against Michigan State will air on ESPN, with Dan Shulman (play-by-play) and Jay Bilas (analyst) on the call, while Jess Sims serves as the floor reporter. Streaming options include watch ESPN and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Watch Kansas vs Michigan State in the Champions Classic with Fubo (free trial)Graham Couch, Lansing State Journal: Kansas 83, Michigan State 74
"It’s hard for me to imagine MSU winning this game unless the 3-point shots start to fall in a big way. We’re going to find out how ready this group is to compete at a Final Four-type level. Because unlike some years when MSU has beaten what’s turned out to be a disappointing Kentucky or Duke team at the Champions Classic, this Kansas squad is unquestionably a legitimate contender."
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Nov. 11
Here's a look at the Spartans' November 2024-25 schedule, including available start times. For the full schedule, click here.
All times ET
Here's a look at the Jayhawks' November 2024-25 schedule, including available start times. For the full schedule, click here.
All times ET
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