Initially launched in 2011, the event has become one of the staples of college basketball’s opening Tuesday. New York City’s Madison Square Garden, which was the inaugural host, will host again this year. Chicago will host in 2017, Indianapolis in 2018 and New York again in 2019.
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“We’re excited and honored to be a part of the Champions Classic for another three years,” Kentucky head coach John Calipari said via the team’s official site. “It’s become one of the premier college basketball events on the national schedule every year. You’re talking about four blue blood programs playing on a neutral, NCAA Tournament-like stage.
“I know our fans love traveling to those cities. It’s always a tough way for a young team like ours to face those types of teams that early, but it’s a great opportunity for us to learn and to prepare for that type of environment down the road.”
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This season, Michigan State will play against Kentucky while Duke squares off against Kansas.
Duke, Michigan State and Kentucky lead the way at 3-2 overall in the event, while Kansas is 1-4. All four schools are projected as top-10 teams heading into the season.
