The 2024-25 men’s college basketball season began last Monday with a slew of games. For many across the country, though, their attention won’t be fixed on the sport until Tuesday night, when four of the best, most consistently successful programs in the country square off against one another.
The first of those games came with a bit of history.
No. 1 Kansas pulled away from Michigan State for a 77-69, helping coach Bill Self to his 591st win with the Jayhawks and allowing him to surpass the legendary Phog Allen as the career coaching victory leader with the program.
Hunter Dickinson led the way in what was an offensively challenged matchup at times, scoring a game-high 28 points and making 13 of his 21 shots. The fifth-year senior added a game-high 12 rebounds.
The game featured 11 ties and two lead changes, with Kansas leading by as many as 10 late in the first half. Leading 60-57 with about six minutes remaining, the Jayhawks finished the game on a 17-12 run to earn the eight-point victory.
The Jayhawks entered the season as the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and remained there after an undefeated first week that was finished off by a 92-89 victory against then-No. 10 North Carolina inside a raucous Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. Self’s team led by as many as 20 before squandering the lead late and rallying for the win.
Here’s the score, updates, highlights and more from Kansas vs. Michigan State basketball in the Champions Classic:
Kansas basketball vs Michigan State score updates
Kansas vs Michigan State live updates
Final: Kansas 77, Michigan State 69
Jeremy Fears steal and layup keeps Michigan State alive
With Kansas nursing an eight-point lead and attempting to milk the clock away with 50 seconds remaining, Jeremy Fears Jr. pokes the ball away for the Spartans and gets an uncontested layup on the other end.
Jayhawks lead 72-66 with 45.9 seconds remaining. Michigan State needs more breaks like that, but Fears’ savvy play keeps his team within striking distance.
Kansas pulling away from Michigan State
The Spartans got within four, 63-59, after a bucket from Szymon Zapala, but the Jayhawks responded with five unanswered points from Dajuan Harris Jr., with the last of those points coming on a three-point play in transition.
Kansas is up nine, 68-59, with 3:29 remaining. It’s the largest lead for either team since late in the first half.
AJ Storr 3 puts Kansas up five
In what has been a back-and-forth, closely contested second half, Kansas is starting to create some distance, now with a multi-possession lead.
A 3-pointer from Wisconsin transfer AJ Storr has the Jayhawks up five and with a free throw from Hunter Dickinson, that advantage is now up to six with 7:17 left.
Michigan State’s second 3-pointer of night ties game
The Spartans have been ice cold from beyond the arc, missing 15 of their first 16 3-pointers. That didn’t deter Jaxon Kohler, though, who pulls up from near the top of the key and drains a shot to tie the game at 52 with 8:51 remaining, prompting a timeout from Bill Self.
Kansas, Michigan State starting to heat up
After a slog of a first half, the Jayhawks and Spartans are starting to deliver some excitement at the Champions Classic.
The teams have combined to make 13 of their 25 shots in the second half. Notably, Hunter Dickinson is now up to 23 points on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting, along with a game-high eight rebounds.
Kirk Cousins sitting courtside for Michigan State vs Kansas
Atlanta Falcons quarterback and former Michigan State star Kirk Cousins made the quick trip over to State Farm Arena to watch his alma mater take on Kansas.
Cousins is one of several former Spartans at the game, along with Steve Smith (who spent five of his 14 NBA seasons with the Atlanta Hawks) and Mark Dantonio.
Michigan State cuts into deficit to start second half
The Spartans are now within a bucket, having outscored Kansas 8-4 in the opening four minutes of the second half.
Frankie Fidler has led the way for Michigan State with four points in the second half.
Halftime: Kansas 30, Michigan State 24
The Jayhawks broke the game open a bit in the final minutes of the half, using a 12-2 run to take a 30-20 lead before Jase Richardson’s four-point play kept Michigan State within striking distance.
Some halftime stats:
Field goal percentage: Kansas 36%, Michigan State 26%
3-point percentage: Kansas 20%, Michigan State 9%
Turnovers: Michigan State 7, Kansas 6
Rebounds: Kansas 25, Michigan State 22
Bench points: Michigan State 18, Kansas 9
Points in the paint: Kansas 18, Michigan State 10
Assists: Kansas 10, Michigan State 3
Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson leading all players with 15 points and six rebounds while Richardson came off the bench to pace Michigan State with eight points.
Jase Richardson completes four-point play
Prized freshman Jase Richardson, the son of former NBA and Michigan State star Jason Richardson, has been one of the bright spots for Michigan State thus far and just turned in his most impressive play yet.
With the Spartans trailing by 10 in the final seconds of the first half, Richardson drains a 3-pointer and is fouled. He heads to the line and makes the free throw to complete the four-point play and get Michigan State within six at halftime.
Kansas run puts Jayhawks up five
Following a brutal start, Kansas is starting to find its rhythm offensively. The Jayhawks are on a 7-0 run over the past 1:42 to give the Jayhawks a 23-18 lead with 3:20 remaining in the first half.
After missing 21 of its first 27 shots, Bill Self’s team has made four of its past five attempts. Hunter Dickinson is up to 15 points and has made seven of his 10 field goals.
Hunter Dickinson up to double figures
For as much of an offensive struggle as it has been thus far for the Spartans and Jayhawks, at least one player has delivered.
Hunter Dickinson is up to 10 points with 7:05 remaining in the first half, accounting for the overwhelming majority of Kansas’ scoring output. He has made five of his team’s six field goals. He has a game-high four rebounds, as well.
Kansas, Michigan State cold shooting continues
It’s tied at 10 halfway through the first half, which has largely been a product of poor shooting. Both teams, especially Kansas, have gotten some good looks, but haven’t been able to knock them down.
The Jayhawks and Spartans have combined to make just six of their 32 shots. Hunter Dickinson is four of five. Everyone else is two of 27.
Michigan State takes lead with 8-0 run
The Spartans got off to a slow start, but have scored six unanswered to tie the game with 13:13 left in the first half.
Kansas has been held without a point for 4:08. After making four of their first eight shots, the Jayhawks have missed their past 10 attempts.
Hunter Dickinson gets Kansas’ first eight points
Jayhawks big man Hunter Dickinson is no stranger to Michigan State, having played the Spartans for three seasons at Michigan. He’s putting that familiarity to good use so far, having scored all eight of Kansas’ points early on.
Pregame
Officials for Kansas vs Michigan State basketball
The three referees working Tuesday night’s game in Atlanta between Kansas and Michigan State are Keith Kimble, Paul Szelc and Tony Padilla.
Kansas, Michigan State starters
Here’s a look at the starting lineups Tuesday night for the Jayhawks and Spartans, according to the StatBroadcast feed:
Kansas
G Dajuan Harris Jr.
G Zeke Mayo
G Rylan Griffen
F KJ Adams
C Hunter Dickinson
Michigan State
G Jeremy Fears Jr.
G Jaden Akins
F Frankie Fidler
F Xavier Booker
C Szymon Zapala
What channel is Kansas vs Michigan State on today?
TV channel: ESPN
Livestream: Watch ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
Kansas’ game against Michigan State will air on ESPN, with Dan Shulman (play-by-play) and Jay Bilas (analyst) on the call, while Jess Sims serves as the floor reporter. Streaming options include watch ESPN and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Watch Kansas vs Michigan State in the Champions Classic with Fubo (free trial)
Kansas vs Michigan State history
Series record: Series tied 5-5
Kansas’ last win: 2021 (Kansas 87, Michigan State 74)
Michigan State’s last win: 2015 (Michigan State 79, Kansas 73)
Kansas vs Michigan State predictions
‘It’s hard for me to imagine MSU winning this game unless the 3-point shots start to fall in a big way. We’re going to find out how ready this group is to compete at a Final Four-type level. Because unlike some years when MSU has beaten what’s turned out to be a disappointing Kentucky or Duke team at the Champions Classic, this Kansas squad is unquestionably a legitimate contender.’
Kansas vs Michigan State betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Nov. 11
Moneyline: Kansas -250 | Michigan State +195
Spread: Kansas (-5.5)
Over/under: 150.5 points
Michigan State basketball schedule 2024-25
All times ET
Monday, Nov. 4: vs. Monmouth (W, 85-67)
Friday, Nov. 8: vs. Niagara (W, 96-60)
Tuesday, Nov. 12: vs. Kansas, Champions Classic, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 16: vs. Bowling Green, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: vs. Samford, 8 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: vs. Colorado, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 26: vs. UConn/Memphis, TBA
Wednesday, Nov. 27: vs. UNC/Dayton/Iowa State/Auburn, TBA
Kansas basketball schedule 2024-25
All times ET
Monday, Nov. 4: vs. Howard (W, 87-57)
Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. North Carolina (W, 92-89)
Tuesday, Nov. 12: vs. Michigan State, Champions Classic, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: vs. UNC-Wilmington, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 26: vs. Duke, Vegas Showdown, 8 p.m
Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Furman, TBA
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