Champions Classic 2016

[H2S]

speaking of way-too-early, DEPT...

TU.15.NOV.2016...Madison Square Garden...Duke/Kansas and Kentucky/Michigan State...
the amount of talent and firepower represented in these four teams is downright staggering...
heck of a way to kick off the new season.

In the series

Duke is 3-2
Michigan State is 3-2
Kentucky is 3-2
Kansas is 1-4

2011 MSG: #2 Kentucky-75 ~ #11 Kansas-65 ; #6 Duke-74 ~ #NR Michigan State-69
2012 ATL: #9 Duke-75 ~ #3 Kentucky-68 ; #7 Kansas-64 ~ #21 Michigan State-67
2013 CHI: #1 Kentucky-74 ~ #2 Michigan State-78 ; #4 Duke-83 ~ #5 Kansas-94
2014 INDY: #4 Duke-81 ~ #19 Michigan State-71 ; #1 Kentucky-72 ~ #5 Kansas-40
2015 CHI: #5 Duke-63 ~ #2 Kentucky-74 ; #4 Kansas-73 ~ #13 Michigan State-79
2016 MSG: #1 Duke ~ #5 Kansas ; #2 Kentucky ~ #9 Michigan State

(2016 rankings are composite avgs from 4 way-too-early polls - espn/cbs/SI/SB)

 

[douggie]

speaking of way-too-early, DEPT...

TU.15.NOV.2016...Madison Square Garden...Duke/Kansas and Kentucky/Michigan State...
the amount of talent and firepower represented in these four teams is downright staggering...
heck of a way to kick off the new season.

In the series

Duke is 3-2
Michigan State is 3-2
Kentucky is 3-2
Kansas is 1-4

2011 MSG: #2 Kentucky-75 ~ #11 Kansas-65 ; #6 Duke-74 ~ #NR Michigan State-69
2012 ATL: #9 Duke-75 ~ #3 Kentucky-68 ; #7 Kansas-64 ~ #21 Michigan State-67
2013 CHI: #1 Kentucky-74 ~ #2 Michigan State-78 ; #4 Duke-83 ~ #5 Kansas-94
2014 INDY: #4 Duke-81 ~ #19 Michigan State-71 ; #1 Kentucky-72 ~ #5 Kansas-40
2015 CHI: #5 Duke-63 ~ #2 Kentucky-74 ; #4 Kansas-73 ~ #13 Michigan State-79
2016 MSG: #1 Duke ~ #5 Kansas ; #2 Kentucky ~ #9 Michigan State

(2016 rankings are composite avgs from 4 way-too-early polls - espn/cbs/SI/SB)

I believe that 2013 is the only year none of these teams made it to the Final Four. That's pretty impressive in and of itself.

 

[douggie]

I believe that 2013 is the only year none of these teams made it to the Final Four. That's pretty impressive in and of itself.

sorry...and this year. Go back to 2007 prior.

 

[jontaejones]

All things considered, Sparty is the whipping boy of the group, which says a lot.

They have performed well though.

Jackson versus Tatum should be fun.

 

[douggie]

And all four programs now have HOF coaches with Izzo being inshrined.

 

[ericd7633]

This is one of my favorite events every year. Not only do we get great games in this event, it's also caps off the 24 hour marathon.

 

[H2S]

All things considered, Sparty is the whipping boy of the group, which says a lot.

They have performed well though.

Jackson versus Tatum should be fun.

MSU fans (at least fans like me) have never quite accepted the fact that we belong in the company of super elite programs like Duke and Kentucky - so...
participation in the Classic these past 5 years has been an incredible treat for our egos.
s'Funny, I would bet that quite a few Kansas fans share my thoughts.

no doubt, Jackson v Tatum will be fun...
the number of 5-star players who will be on the court at any time during both games is unprecedented (I'm hoping & praying Vitale doesn't call the games - gawd, hearing "DIAPER DANDIES" shouted all night would be nightmarish.)

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Kansas is more than likely going to drop to 1-5 in this thing lol

Tough draw

But Jackson is going to make them really, really good again.