Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Each team’s history heading into 2019 Champions Classic

By Griffin McVeigh

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 06: Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks shoots the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 06: Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks shoots the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The 2019 Champions Classic is set to be one of the best in its nine-year history. How have the four NCAA Basketball teams faired in the other eight years?

Established in 2011, the Champions Classic has been one of the best events every year in NCAA Basketball. Bringing together four of the most historic teams in the history of the sports, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan State rotate playing each other every third year. This year will be the final game of the third rotation, with each team playing each other three times.

Throughout the eight years, some star players have played in this game, but what makes these matchups so special is the four coaches involved. Mike Krzyzewski, Bill Self, John Calipari, and Tom Izzo are four of the best coaches to ever coach in college basketball. Eight national titles between them (five by Krzyzewski, one for the other three) at least one of these four teams consistently make the Final Four.

This year will be no different as the top four spots in the AP Poll are occupied by these four teams. Thought to be the four best teams in the country, any of these four teams have a chance at the National Championship this season. Before getting to the end of the big dance each year, they must begin their season at the Champions Classic. Here is the history of the competition and how well or poorly each of the four teams has done since the competition began in 2011.

Home/NCAA Basketball News