Michigan State University Athletics
Champions Classic Moves Up One Week to Tip Off 2018-19 College Basketball Season
1/17/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
East Lansing, Mich. - Michigan State's men's basketball team will open the 2018-19 season on Tuesday, Nov. 6, playing in the State Farm Champions Classic on ESPN.
The 2018 Classic – a neutral site doubleheader – will feature Michigan State playing Kansas and Duke squaring off against Kentucky. The games will be played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The NCAA Division I Council approved moving up the start of the men's and women's college basketball season to the Tuesday before the second Friday in November.
"We feel that there is natural connection to the start of the season and to the State Farm Champions Classic," said Clint Overby, vice president of ESPN Events. "These four schools have come together to help build an exciting stage to launch the college basketball season."
The Champions Classic began in 2011 and Michigan State has an all-time record of 3-4 in its appearances.
"The Champions Classic has always served as the unofficial start to the college basketball season, so it only makes sense to move to the earlier date," MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo said. "Our four great programs, the capacity crowds and the media attention provide a spotlight on our game that's much needed during an otherwise crowded time in the sports calendar. I can't think of a better way to tip off the season."
Champions Classic History
* Millions of fans have tuned into the Champions Classic over the last seven years. The 2017 matchups delivered the event's second highest viewership ever, behind the 2013 Classic.
* A combined 18 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship (since 1939): Kentucky (eight), Duke (five), Kansas (three) and Michigan State (two).
* A total of 56 NCAA Final Four appearances (since 1939): Kentucky (17), Duke (16), Kansas (14) and Michigan State (9).
* Since the Champions Classic began in 2011, all four teams have reached the NCAA Final Four at least once, with Kentucky and Duke winning national titles, in 2012 and 2015 respectively
* Over the last 14 games of the Classic, there have been 13 top-25 matchups, including two games featuring No. 1 vs. No. 2 (according to the AP poll)
* Four Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coaches in Calipari, Izzo, Krzyzewski and Self
* To date, the event has taken place in four cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis and New York
