Michigan State Defeats Duke in Champions Classic at United Center

The Champions Classic delivered a high-profile opening night as four of college basketball’s winningest programs met in Chicago reported by ESPN. Michigan State entered the matchup after opening the season with wins, while Duke arrived having defeated Army and Coastal Carolina noted the Chicago Tribune.

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Jeremy Fears Jr. anchored the Michigan State offense with 18 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds, orchestrating an attack that jumped out to an early 11-2 lead detailed MLive. Jordan Scott anchored the defensive effort with five points, nine rebounds, and six blocks, setting a new career high according to MLive. Cam Ward contributed 14 points off the bench, and freshman Jasiah Jervis added 10 points noted MLive.

Duke shot just 33.3 percent from the floor for the game reported MLive. John Blackwell led the Blue Devils with 17 points stated MLive. The Blue Devils trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half before cutting the deficit to five points with 13 seconds remaining reported ESPN.

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo improved his series record against Duke as the Spartans snapped a three-game losing skid against the Blue Devils. Junior big man Patrick Ngongba played through an illness for Duke after rumors shortly before tip-off suggested he might be sidelined. The compromised big man was a step slow on both ends of the floor as the Blue Devils struggled to overcome his limited effectiveness.

Freshman Joaquim Boumtje also saw action for Duke off the bench, while fellow freshman Cayden Boozer featured in the backcourt rotation alongside Patrick Ngongba II, Caleb Foster, and Dame Sarr.

Michigan State leaned heavily on a supporting cast that included Carlos Medlock Jr., Coen Carr, and Jesse McCulloch, with Medlock hitting a crucial pull-up 3-pointer in the second half to help secure Tom Izzo’s goal of reaching the 2027 Final Four in Detroit.

Preseason Tests Shape Slate

Both programs scheduled demanding exhibition slates to prepare for the neutral-site showcase reported the Chicago Tribune. Michigan State played UConn and Marquette in the preseason noted the Chicago Tribune. Duke faced Tennessee and Kansas prior to the regular season reported the Chicago Tribune.

We wanted to be tested in different ways. There’s no question Michigan State is going to test us in ways we haven’t seen yet. We know it’s going to be a tough game but it’s also what we signed up for. We want to be in moments like this and games like this.

Jon Scheyer, Duke head coach

The night’s second game featured No. 15 Kansas and No. 24 Kentucky in a matchup between the two winningest programs in NCAA Division I history reported ESPN. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope deployed a roster featuring newcomers such as Washington transfer Zoom Diallo and Furman transfer Alex Wilkins, alongside returner Malachi Moreno, who posted 1.5 blocks per game last season.

Meanwhile, Kansas coach Bill Self prepared his squad with veteran pieces including Melvin Council Jr., Tre White, and Trey Kaufman-Renn, though Council was sidelined after breaking a foot in practice.