In the Champions Classic, it was Kansas basketball who came away with a victory against the Kentucky Wildcats. What were the major takeaways?
Despite poor shooting by both teams, the second game of the Champions Classic between Kansas and Kentucky was an exciting one. This was a game that featured two incredible coaches and college basketball programs early in the non-conference schedule. Both preseason top-10 teams in the country, Kansas and Kentucky are looked at to be potential favorites to win the NCAA Tournament come March.
For now, though, it is the Kansas Jayhawks who can add a marquee victory to their resume. Despite only playing a seven-man rotation, senior Svi Mykhailiuk and sophomore Udoka Azubuike stepped up for Coach Bill Self and the Jayhawks to take home the victory, 65- 61.
On the whole, this game truly flashed the potential of both of these teams. The teams were far from perfect, but the young stars came out to play and showed what might be to come throughout the rest of the season. Regardless of the outcome tonight, both Kentucky and Kansas will remain the favorites to win their respective conferences.
There is plenty of time for these teams to improve throughout the year and if we know anything about these two programs, they will certainly be in contention for one of the top seeds in the NCAA Tournament when Selection Sunday rolls around. Both of these programs have a National Championship in the last 10 years (Kansas in 2008, Kentucky in 2012), and it would not be a surprise to see them among the favorites when the bracket released this year.
As a summary of the Champions Classic itself, this was a special night of college basketball. Right in the heart of college football and the NFL season, the NCAA was able to showcase four of their top basketball programs in two spectacular games. It was certainly a positive that both games were competitive and showcased not only some of the better upperclassmen in Devonte’ Graham, Mykhailiuk, and Duke’s Grayson Allen, but it also showed the future of the sport in college hoops and the NBA with elite freshmen all over the court.
In regards to the game itself, let’s take a look at three major takeaways from the contest.