Preview: Champions Classic 2019

Overview

Duke vs Kansas

The Duke Blue Devils and Kansas Jay hawks are set to tip it up at 7 pm EST, game one of two of the Champions Classic, and it should be a good one. Duke lost their top three scorers to the NBA, but they are bringing back their sophomore point guard, Tre Jones.

Coach K also brings in a very talented recruiting class that includes Vernon Carey Jr, Matthew Hurt, Wendell Moore, and Cassius Stanley. That is a lot of young talent to take care of to start the year, and with that there is a lot of questions to be answered. Duke is going to have a lot of learning curves, and a lot of those will come in this first game against Kansas. Even with the young core, the Duke Blue Devils are going to make this game a good one.

On the other hand, Kansas is a much more seasoned and the more experienced team going into this match-up. Kansas is the AP preseason number three team in the nation after they have returning players like their point guard Devon Dotson, and senior, Udoka Azubuike.

Joining them is guard Ochai Agbaji, guard Marcus Garrett who all have returned for another season. The Jay Hawks also bring in a transfer forward from Iowa, Isaiah Moss. There is no doubt that Kansas is going to look to expose the young, inexperienced Duke squad.

Prediction: Kansas

Michigan St vs Kentucky

The Spartans and Wildcats tip off right after the conclusion of the Duke-Kansas game, at 8:30 EST. The second game is a battle between the number one, and two teams in the preseason AP poll. This is going to be a blockbuster game.

Michigan St is coming into this game after hearing the news that Josh Langford will be out until at least January. There was a lot of hype surrounding this team coming into the year, and for all of the right reasons. Cassius Winston, one of the top returning players in the country will look to lead his team, who landed the number one position in the AP poll. The news about Langford hurts, but they can still be the team they were supposed to be.

If you remember last year, Langford had the original injury, and Nick Ward was also out for some time with a hand injury. Kenny Goins was one of the players that stepped up for the Spartans which allowed for a final four run.

This year, players like Aaron Henry, Rocket Watts and Foster Loyer will have to step up and help Cassius. The team is still going to be a top 5 team when things are all said and done.

Switching gears, the Kentucky Wildcats have a different look to the team this year too. Notable departures include P.J Washington, Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson and Reid Travis. The big returning player for Kentucky will be point guard, Ashton Hagans.

The recruiting class for John Calipari includes star players like Tyrese Maxey, Kahlil Whitney, Keion Brooks, Dontaie Allen and Jonny Juzang.

Both teams have experience at the point guard position, which will make for an amazing game.

Prediction: Kentucky

The Champions Classic is just the beginning of the great college basketball season that is ahead.

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