Michigan State basketball: How have the Spartans fared in the annual Champions Classic?

The 2024 Champions Classic is approaching. But how have the Spartans fared in this yearly heralded tradition?

Regardless of who you consider to be blue blood programs, one thing is for certain: the yearly Champions Classic is must-see TV and a great way to get the college basketball season going. Michigan State basketball has been prominent enough to be involved in the Champions Classic, starting back in 2011. The goal of this yearly event was to create marquee matchups each season, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, though the location has since varied.

Michigan State is joined each year by three of the most winningest programs in college basketball history, Kentucky, Duke, and Kansas.

This season, Michigan State will play Kansas, who will likely open the 2024 season ranked No. 1 in the country, in the first game of the Classic. Tipoff will be in Atlanta, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The Spartans will be immediately tested as they face off against familiar foe Hunter Dickinson and a reloaded Bill Self team. 

📢 Tip times are here!

6:30 PM – @KUHoops vs. @MSU_Basketball

9:00 PM – @KentuckyMBB vs. @DukeMBB

Tuesday, Nov. 12 at @StateFarmArena in Atlanta

🎟️ Tickets will go on sale in late September! Sign up for our pre-sale to secure first access: https://t.co/EVQn8HbFD5 pic.twitter.com/qj13FoVTzM

— State Farm Champions Classic (@championclassic) August 22, 2024

Over the past 13 years in which this event has taken place, the four participants in MSU, Kentucky, Duke, and Kansas have been to a combined 20 Elite Eights, 11 Final Fours, and have been national champions three different times. The pedigree of this group is second to none, especially when you take into consideration the decades of success of each school before the creation of the Champions Classic in 2011.

As for Michigan State in particular, the Spartans are a total of 5-8 over the last 13 years. Broken down by opponent, MSU is 1-4 vs. Duke, 2-2 against Kansas, and 2-2 against Kentucky. 

There may be plenty of question marks surrounding this Michigan State basketball team, but one thing is for sure: all eyes will be on four of the most historic programs in college basketball history on Nov. 12. Go Green.

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