Men’s college basketball may have officially started last week, but the season kicks off in earnest with the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.
The annual primetime event pits four of the top programs in college basketball against each other in rotating cities across the United States. No. 4 Kentucky vs. Michigan State will kick things off at 7 p.m. ET live from Indianapolis followed by No. 6 Kansas vs. No. 7 Duke after a brief intermission—during which the latest College Football Playoff rankings will be revealed.
The Kansas-Duke game will look a little bit different than casual fans are used to. Jon Scheyer has taken over for the recently retired Mike Krzyzewski on the Blue Devils’ sideline while assistant coach Norm Roberts will be handling duties for KU head coach Bill Self while he finishes up a a school-imposed four-game suspension related to a 2017 infractions case.
Yet the star power on the court won’t be lacking. Multiple five-star recruits, McDonalds All-Americans and NBA draft lottery prospects will take the floor, as per usual.
You’ll want to remember the names Dereck Lively II, Dariq Whitehead, Cason Wallace, Tyrese Proctor, Gradey Dick, Chris Livingston, Kevin McCullar and, of course, Oscar Tshiebwe as they’ll be impossible to avoid this season.
It’s a fantastic night for college basketball bettors. Let’s get into it.
No. 4 Kentucky vs. Michigan State
Blake Schuster: Kentucky (-6.5)
This pick is less about Michigan State, a team I think will actually be ranked by the end of the year, and more about Kentucky which returns a bonafide star in forward Oscar Tshiebwe along with its usual assortment of highly-touted freshmen. KenPom has this game as an eight-point UK win and I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually reaches double digits. MSU showed a ton of grit against Gonzaga when they met on an aircraft carrier last week, but given this is nearly a home game for Kentucky I can’t imagine they’re able to keep up as well against another top-ranked program.
Favorite Prop: Joey Hauser Under 5.5 Rebounds
Cole Huff: Kentucky (-6.5)
I know the Spartans held a sizeable lead over No. 2 Gonzaga last week before ultimately falling in defeat at the end, but I just wasn’t very impressed with what I watched (to be fair, maybe some of that had to do with them playing basketball outside…on a carrier). But this has more to do with Kentucky than it does with Michigan State, at the end of the day. With Oscar Tshiebwe reportedly going to make his debut in this one, he’ll add to the already big talent advantage the Wildcats have over the Spartans. I’ll comfortably lock them in at -6.5.
Favorite Prop: Joey Hauser Over 1.5 3-Pointers Made
Jordan Tomiyama: Michigan State +6.5 (-110)
Michigan State is coming off a really competitive game against Gonzaga and they’ll keep this game close. A.J. Hoggard dropped 12 points and got to the line 10 times against the Bulldogs so look for him to be aggressive off the jump. The Spartans will have to limit freshman Antonio Reeves and CJ Frederick but I have faith in Tom Izzo to have a great game plan for those two.
Favorite Prop: A.J. Hoggard Over 10.5 points
Caroline Darney: Kentucky (-6.5)
I went back and forth on this due to MSU’s incredible game against Gonzaga on the USS Abraham Lincoln, but I’m going with the Wildcats. I’m also assuming Oscar Tshiebwe plays (even if limited minutes). The way Kentucky shoots the three ball will be a problem for every team they play, and I just think the Cats take this by 10. The duo of Antonio Reeves and CJ Frederick have combined to go 16-of-30 from deep so far this season.
Favorite Prop: Antonio Reeves Over 13.5 points
Prince Grimes: Michigan State (+6.5)
I’ll show the Spartans some love, but it’s less about what they’ve shown this year and more about remembering last year’s Champions Classic. Their entire starting lineup remembers getting beatdown in last year’s game, and they don’t want to let that happen again. And though Michigan State was impressive to come within a point of beating Gonzaga, they can actually play a lot better after shooting under 19% from three and 64% from the free throw line.
Favorite Prop: A.J. Hoggard Over 4.5 assists
No. 6 Kansas vs. No. 7 Duke
Blake Schuster: Kansas Jayhawks (+1.5)
I’m all in on KU going back-to-back this year, but this is a matchup that will exploit the Jayhawks’ growing pains in the frontcourt. If Duke can play through its bigs for most of the game, the Blue Devils should be able to remain ahead. Yet Kansas has shown a knack for knocking down shots outside the arc and from the midrange. Ultimately I think the leadership of Jalen Wilson and Dajuan Harris wins out while Gradey Dick hits a few momentum-shifting threes to steal a close one for Kansas.
Favorite Prop: Gradey Dick Over 1.5 3-Pointers Made
Cole Huff: Kansas (+1.5)
There is honestly no wrong or right choice to make here (unless you ask KU alum, Blake). There’s a good amount of roster turnover from last season to this one for both teams, but that’s somewhat par for the course for the two schools. With all of the talent on the floor but not much continuity early on in the season, I think this game ultimately boils down to which of the two teams is better coached for 40 minutes and that’s where I give KU the win.
Favorite Prop: Jalen Wilson Over 2.5 Assists
Jordan Tomiyama: Duke (-1.5)
I simply can’t pick the Jayhawks because of my Duke Blue Devil allegiances. I know Blake won’t be happy about it but I’m excited to see this Duke team led by Jon Scheyer. Freshman Mark Mitchell is a force inside and Jeremy Roach will steer the ship as their PG. Easy win for the Blue Devils which makes -1.5 a LOCK.
Favorite Prop: Jeremy Roach Over 1.5 3-Pointers Made
Caroline Darney: Kansas (+1.5)
I’m excited for this game, regardless of outcome. It will be a great barometer for both teams, and I’m especially looking forward to seeing how all the Duke freshman do against better competition. I think experience wins out for the Jayhawks, but I’m hoping for a close game.
Favorite Prop: Jalen Wilson Over 15.5 points
Prince Grimes: Kansas (+1.5)
Whichever way this games goes, I think it comes down to the wire and I’m rolling with Kansas to get the win because the Jayhawks have an edge in the coaching department. I also think their freshman have played a little better through a couple games, which is important on a stage of this magnitude.
Favorite Prop: Ryan Young Over 8.5 points
