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Kansas vs. Michigan State: 5 biggest questions for 2018 Champions Classic battle

By Tristan Freeman

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on against the Syracuse Orange in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on against the Syracuse Orange in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 28: Quentin Grimes #5 of The Woodlands College Park H.S. attacks the basket against Romeo Langford #22 of New Albany High School and EJ Montgomery #3 of Wheeler High School during the 2018 McDonald’s All American Game at Philips Arena on March 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 28: Quentin Grimes #5 of The Woodlands College Park H.S. attacks the basket against Romeo Langford #22 of New Albany High School and EJ Montgomery #3 of Wheeler High School during the 2018 McDonald’s All American Game at Philips Arena on March 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. Which freshmen gets the nod in this game?

Both Michigan State and Kansas have plenty of quality freshmen coming in – which presents some problems for the head coaches. There are always going to be conversations about the rotations and depth for both teams, including the amount of minutes (if any at all) the freshmen will get.

For Kansas, Dotson and Grimes are shoo-ins for 20+ mpg this season in the perimeter. Another player that’ll get a fair amount of playing time will be David McCormack, a top-50 center that’ll be the primary backup for Udoka Azubuike. The junior center played just under 24 mpg last season but likely won’t be able to play much more in a given game, which would normally allow McCormack to fill in. However, if the freshman big man isn’t deemed ready for the bright lights of the Champions Classic, Coach Bill Self may go small with either Mitch Lightfoot or a Lawson brother at the five-spot.

Related Story. Kansas Jayhawks Season Preview. light

The last freshmen for Kansas is Ochai Agbaji, a 6’5 top-150 wing prospect. With Lagerald Vick’s unexpected return to the team, he may be the odd man out. Those feelings would be further cemented if he fails to play at all on Tuesday.

In regards to Michigan State, some players are more suited for minutes than others. Loyer is settled in as a backup point guard, while top-60 forward Marcus Bingham Jr. will try to fill in for Jaren Jackson Jr. As far as the other forwards (Thomas Kithier, Gabe Brown and Aaron Henry), each have their own strengths that can help out the team. Assuming that Tom Izzo goes with a 9 or10-man rotation, one or two freshman Spartans may be left out.

Since this is the first game for both teams and the normal cupcake to open the season isn’t available, Kansas and Michigan State may go with very short rotations and give the veterans the lion’s share of the minutes in this big game. But any freshman who plays this game should be penciled in going forward as part of the rotations.

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