Michigan State Basketball Faces No. 1 Kansas in Highly Anticipated Champions Classic Matchup

No. 1 Kansas is set to face Michigan State on Tuesday, November 12, in the first leg of the prestigious Champions Classic. This marquee matchup, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, pits two of the most successful programs in college basketball against each other. Kansas has dominated the recent head-to-head, winning the last three matchups against Michigan State, with the Spartans’ last victory coming in 2015.

The Jayhawks enter this game on the heels of a thrilling 92-89 win over North Carolina at Allen Fieldhouse. Despite building a 20-point advantage in the first half, Kansas nearly squandered the lead before securing the win with crucial contributions from star big man Hunter Dickinson. Dickinson scored the go-ahead basket with 1:17 remaining and sealed the victory with a clutch free throw in the final seconds.

Michigan State, meanwhile, has started the season strongly with back-to-back blowout wins over Monmouth and Niagara. In their 96-60 victory over Niagara, Jaxon Kohler impressed off the bench with 20 points and 13 rebounds in just 18 minutes. The Spartans are looking to prove that their early-season success is not just a result of facing weaker opponents but a testament to their actual strength.

Despite Michigan State’s promising start, Kansas is favored by 6.5 points according to FanDuel sportsbook. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and can be streamed live via fuboTV. Analysts predict that Kansas’s depth and consistency will be key factors in this matchup, although there are bold predictions suggesting that Michigan State could pull off an upset, particularly if players like Xavier Booker and Jase Richardson have standout performances.

Xavier Booker, who has struggled early in the season, is predicted to have a breakout game with 17 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Jase Richardson, the son of Spartan legend Jason Richardson, is expected to continue his strong start by scoring in double figures for the third consecutive game. The Spartans are also anticipated to improve their three-point shooting, which could be crucial in their bid to upset the top-ranked Jayhawks.