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Champions Classic history: Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State bring legendary records to Chicago originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Champions Classic returns Tuesday with another doubleheader featuring four of college basketball’s most recognizable programs.
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Michigan State faces Duke in the opening game at Chicago’s United Center, followed by Kansas against Kentucky. The event began in 2011 and has become one of the sport’s premier early-season showcases, bringing nationally prominent teams together before conference play begins.
Over the years, the Champions Classic has produced remarkable performances, memorable victories and several moments that helped define entire college basketball seasons.
Duke’s 2018 victory remains unforgettable
One of the event’s most famous games came in 2018, when Duke overwhelmed Kentucky 118-84.
The Blue Devils featured an extraordinary freshman class led by Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish. Duke’s 118 points established a Champions Classic scoring record, while the 34-point victory remains the event’s largest winning margin.
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The performance immediately established Duke as one of the most discussed teams in the country and provided a national introduction to its highly anticipated freshman stars.
Michigan State produced the event’s overtime classic
The 2022 Champions Classic featured a memorable contest between Michigan State and Kentucky. The Spartans defeated the Wildcats in double overtime, producing the event’s only overtime game through its first 15 editions.
The result demonstrated why the Champions Classic has become such an appealing event. Although the games take place early in the season, the quality of the participants can create an atmosphere resembling a major postseason contest.
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Chicago has become an important home
Tuesday marks the fifth time Chicago has hosted the Champions Classic. The United Center…
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Publish date : 2026-11-10 11:54:00
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