The second game of Tuesday’s Champions Classic could be important as the No. 7 Kansas face No. 20 Kentucky is included at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. It will be a battle between the two blues of the college basketball’s Blue Bloods, and no one will be surprised, it’s a match between two teams that entered the season with real NCAA title expectations.
Funny enough, both hope the game can serve as a tune-up after a bumpy start. Kentucky lost at home to Richmond at favorite time of the week while Kansas lost to No. 1 Gonzaga in its opener, and so both seasons will enter Tuesday at 1-1 p.m.
Here’s what to know and how to watch for the 2020 Champions Classic, starting at 7:30 p.m. at No. 6 Duke with No. 8 Michigan State.
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Storylines
Kansas: Bill Self and Jehxx are replacing two Americans L-Americans in Udoka Azubuk and Devon Dotson, and they are doing so with an experienced returning corps led by Marcus Garrett, Ochai Agabaji and David McCormack. It may not be as elite a defensive unit as it was all season when it was second nationally in adjusted efficiency at Canpom, but the pieces are KU So the strength of experience and the top-end contender are in place to make a contender. Talent. They went 1-1 on St. Joseph’s season on Friday and kept the Gongaga game competitive, which is no small feat against a betting-picking team to win the national championship.
Kentucky: Kentucky went in reverse order of its wins and losses while Kansas would stumble here. He started his season with an 811-win45 win over Morehead State before dropping Richmond by 12 points at home on Sunday. Spider has a team full of experience and probably has the best team in the A-10, so there is no panic for the UK yet. Still, it’s an interesting place to see how young wildcats react. John Calipari is starting four new and one senior, so we’ll quickly learn how this youngster of stars handles the odds in a big space against the top-10 team.
Viewing information
- When: Tuesday, December 1 at 9:30 p.m.
- Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
- TV: ESPN | Streaming: fuboTV (try for free)
Kentucky vs. Kansas, Pick
Latest hurdles:
Jayaxx-4.5
Kansas has an experienced and proven backcourt. Kentucky’s frontcourt – led by senior 7-footer Ol Livier Sir – is long and talented. Eventually, the game is decided in the margins, and since it’s a toss up, I’ll take Kentucky and points. This Wildcats team is young but with an incredibly long and talented top down, enough to give Kansas – for all its experience – fit enough to keep him on the sidelines. A moneyline spray may also be appropriate. You know the UK will be sacked after a mid-main opponent inflicted home damage over the weekend. Pick: Kentucky +3.5
