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Michigan State vs Duke: 5 storylines for 2020 Champions Classic matchup

By Trevor Sinodhinos

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 17: Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his three point shot in the second half of the game against Wisconsin Badgers at the Breslin Center on January 17, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 17: Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his three point shot in the second half of the game against Wisconsin Badgers at the Breslin Center on January 17, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Cassius Winston Tre Jones (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Cassius Winston Tre Jones (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Duke has won eight of the last nine

These two teams have changed significantly since freshman Kyrie Irving dropped 31 points in an 84-79 Duke victory on Dec.1, 2010, at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Their 2020 matchup will be precisely10 years to the day when the two teams meet this season. Over that time the Blue Devils have tallied up an 8-1 record versus the Spartans.

This season the Blue Devils have another freshman point guard running the offense in 6’3 Jeremy Roach. along with a host of other freshmen on the roster. Head Coach Tom Izzo will be heading into the 2020-21 season with a depth chart full of juniors and with sophomore guard Rocket Watts.

The Spartans faced Eastern Michigan and Notre Dame prior to Duke, Duke’s inaugural game of the 2020-21 season versus Gardner-Webb was postponed, so the only tune-up they had prior to Michigan State was Coppin State.

Not only will the game have top ten implications, but in a shortened season, every quality win is important, especially for two proud programs looking to represent themselves, their fans, and their conference as well.

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