What is the Champions Classic? Kansas basketball's history in the tip-off event

The Kansas basketball program recently picked up a victory over UNC that will be remembered for a long time. Two of the best basketball schools in NCAA history squared off in legendary Allen Fieldhouse, and it was a thriller until the final second.

However, the Jayhawks have a short break before embarking on another difficult early matchup. No. 1 Kansas will take on Michigan State in the Champions Classic tonight, while Kentucky and Duke are set to compete afterward.

Kansas basketball all-time Champions Classic history

2011: Kentucky defeats Kansas 75-65
2012: Michigan State defeats Kansas 67-64
2013: Kansas defeats Duke 94-83
2014: Kentucky defeats Kansas 72-40
2015: Michigan State defeats Kansas 79-73
2016: Kansas defeats Duke 77-75
2017: Kansas defeats Kentucky 65-61
2018: Kansas defeats Michigan State 92-87
2019: Duke defeats Kansas 68-66
2020: Kansas defeats Kentucky 65-62
2021: Kansas defeats Michigan State 87-72
2022: Kansas defeats Duke 69-64
2023: Kansas defeats Kentucky 92-87

Kansas is tied with Duke for the best all-time record (8-5) in the Champions Classic. KU has won each of its past four games in the event and seven of its last eight. Surprisingly, MSU is the only school that Bill Self and Co. do not have an above .500 record against. They will look to change that narrative today.

Michigan State is the only school in the bracket that has entered the Champions Classic unranked. The Spartans are 1-2 in these games, with the win coming in a 2OT thriller in 2022. They do not currently hold a spot in the AP Poll.

The Champions Classic is only scheduled to run through 2025, but it might extend beyond that date. Next year, the Jayhawks will play Kentucky.

What is the Champions Classic?

The State Farm Champions Classic is an annual early-season college basketball event that features Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan State, four of the most storied programs in college basketball. It was established in 2011, rotating through neutral sites in big cities every year. This year, it is being held in State Farm Arena, but it has been played in venues such as Madison Square Garden (New York City) and United Center (Chicago) in the past.