No. 2 Michigan State missed its opportunity against No. 1 Duke in the Champions Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in Chicago. Video by Chris Solari/DFP
Next season's Champions Classic will be one week earlier.
That means Michigan State will face Kansas on Nov. 6 in Indianapolis to open the 2018-19 season. Duke vs. Kentucky will be the other game of the doubleheader at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The shift is due to Tuesday’s NCAA Division I Council decision to move the start of college basketball for both men and women to the Tuesday before the second Friday of November.
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“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 coach Tom Izzo said in a release. “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.”
The Spartans are 3-4 in the Champions Classic since it began in 2011. They lost to Duke this season in Chicago on Nov. 14.
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!
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