Champions Classic To Play In Chicago On Tuesday Night
The State Farm Champions Classic is a premier early-season, college basketball event that features four of the most successful programs in the history of college basketball. The event, which began in 2011, is a doubleheader match-up between Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan State. These four teams have combined for more than 20 national championships and over 60 Final Four appearances, making the Champions Classic a showcase of some of the best talent in college basketball.
The inaugural Champions Classic took place on November 15, 2011, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The first game of the doubleheader saw Duke defeat Michigan State, while in the second game, Kentucky triumphed over Kansas. The event was a success, drawing a large television audience and generating significant buzz in the college basketball world.
The Champions Classic rotates locations each year, with games being played in major cities such as Chicago, Indianapolis, and Atlanta. The event has become a staple of the early college basketball season, often serving as the first major test for the participating teams. The games are nationally televised, providing a platform for the teams to showcase their talent and for fans to get an early look at potential contenders for the national championship.
The State Farm Champions Classic has also been a launching pad for many future NBA stars. Players such as Anthony Davis, Jabari Parker, and Andrew Wiggins have all participated in the event, using the high-profile match-ups as a chance to showcase their skills to a national audience. The event has become a must-watch for NBA scouts, who use the games as an opportunity to evaluate some of the top young talent in the country.
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2023 Champions Classic
The 2023 event is set to take place in Chicago at the United Center on Tuesday night November 14th. Duke takes on Michigan State in the first game and Kansas versus Kentucky battle in the second game of the night. Duke and Kansas have the best overall records in the event both at 7-5, while Kentucky and Michigan State are both 5-7. Three of these teams began the season in the top five of the AP Top 25, Kansas No. 1, Duke No.2, and Michigan State No. 4. While Kentucky began the season No. 16 in the poll with the highest ranked freshman class in the country and high season expectations. Both Duke and Michigan State come into the Champions Classic with an opening week early loss and play each other.
Despite being a relatively new event, the State Farm Champions Classic has quickly become a beloved tradition in college basketball. The combination of historic programs, top-tier talent, and high-stakes games has made the Champions Classic a can't-miss event for college basketball fans. Which teams come out with the early season Quad-1 statement wins for the new 2023-24 college basketball season? We will find out in Chicago on Tuesday night.
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