Kansas vs Kentucky: 2020-21 Champions Classic game preview, TV schedule
Two powerhouse programs in Kentucky and Kansas face off in this year’s Champions Classic.
TV schedule: December 1st, 9:30 pm ET. ESPN
Arena: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana
We have two games in the annual Champions Classic. The first features a pair of unbeaten teams in Duke and Michigan State, while the other half of the double-header has Kansas taking on Kentucky in a battle of 1-1 squads.
The Jayhawks suffered their defeat in the first game of the season, losing to No. 1 Gonzaga, 102-90. They held their own through the first 30 minutes but didn’t have enough offense to keep up. Marcus Garrett had 22 points, while Ochai Agbaji chipped in with 17. Kansas did bounce back against St. Joe’s the following day, winning 94-72. It was the coming-out party for sophomore Christian Braun. who led the team with a career-high 30 points and nine rebounds.
Kentucky happens to be coming off a loss, falling to Richmond at home, 76-64. On the bright side was Brandon Boston Jr. (20 points and 10 rebounds) and Olivier Sarr (17 points and 11 rebounds), who had double-doubles. However, along with Terrence Clarke adding 15 points, those three Wildcats combined for 52 of the team’s 64 total points. Add the fact that the entire team made zero three-pointers at home, and you have a very worrisome trait early on.
That’s certainly one of the big keys to this game. Kansas has some outstanding wing defenders in Garrett and Agbaji and the young guards for the Wildcats will have their work cut out for them. On the other hand, center David McCormack got exposed in his battle with Gonzaga’s Drew Timme and only played a total of 12 minutes against St. Joe’s, with backup forward Jalen Wilson getting twice as much playing time. Against Sarr of Kentucky, the Jayhawks may not have a real answer inside.
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Even with a loss, neither team should panic. But the loser will be 1-2 and miss out on a resume-building opportunity to land a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky has room to grow with their underclassmen group but they also need confidence. Will it come against the Jayhawks? Hard to believe when their three-point woes are genuine. Long as Kansas can continue scoring at a high-level, they’ll take this one.