Champions Classic history: Records, scores for the annual men’s basketball event

The Champions Classic, DI men’s basketball’s highly anticipated tip-off to a new season, took place on Nov. 12, 2024 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Game 1 featured No. 1 Kansas taking down Michigan State, 77-69, while the second game saw No. 19 Kentucky upsetting No. 6 Duke, 77-72.

Each year, four of college basketball’s biggest powers — Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State — meet on the court to bring us a tournament-worthy matchup early in the season. This tradition kicks off the season with a doubleheader showcasing the nation’s top talent and providing a glimpse into the potential contenders for the NCAA championship.

While participating schools remain the same, new signees, transfers, coaching staffs and team strengths change the dynamics of the tournament change each year. 

Nov. 12, 2024 | Atlanta | State Farm Arena

Here’s a look at previous Championship Classic matchups, scores and the participants’ records:

Champions Classic results

Nov. 15, 2011 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden

• No. 6 Duke 74, Michigan State 69
• No. 2 Kentucky 75, No. 12 Kansas 65

Nov. 13, 2012 | Atlanta, GA | Georgia Dome

• No. 21 Michigan State 67, No. 7 Kansas 64
• No. 9 Duke 75, No. 3 Kentucky 68

Nov. 12, 2013 | Chicago, Illinois | United Center

• No. 2 Michigan State 78, No. 1 Kentucky 74
• No. 5 Kansas 94, No. 4 Duke 83

Nov. 18, 2014 | Indianapolis, IN| Bankers Life Fieldhouse

• No. 4 Duke 81, No. 19 Michigan State 71
• No. 1 Kentucky 72, No. 5 Kansas 40

Nov. 17, 2015 | Chicago, Illinois | United Center

• No. 2 Kentucky 74, No. 5 Duke 63
• No. 13 Michigan State 79, No. 4 Kansas 73

Nov. 15, 2016  | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden

• No. 2 Kentucky 69, No. 13 Michigan State 48
• No. 7 Kansas    77, No. 1 Duke 75

Nov. 14, 2017 | Chicago, Illinois | United Center

• No. 1 Duke 88, No. 2 Michigan State 81
• No. 4 Kansas 65, No. 7 Kentucky 61

Nov. 6, 2018 | Indianapolis, IN| Bankers Life Fieldhouse

• No. 1 Kansas 92, No. 10 Michigan State 87
• No. 4 Duke 118, No. 2 Kentucky 84

Nov. 5, 2019 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden

• No. 4 Duke 68, No. 3 Kansas 66
• No. 2 Kentucky 69, No. 1 Michigan State 62

Dec. 1 2020 | Durham, NC |  Cameron Indoor Stadium | Indianapolis, IN| Bankers Life Fieldhouse

• No. 8 Michigan State 75, No. 6 Duke 69
• No. 7 Kansas    65, No. 20 Kentucky 62

Nov. 9, 2021  | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden

• No. 3 Kansas 87, Michigan State 74
• No. 9 Duke 79, No. 10 Kentucky 71

Nov. 15, 2022 | Indianapolis, IN | Gainbridge Fieldhouse

• No. 6 Kansas 69, No. 7 Duke 64
• Michigan State 86, No. 4 Kentucky 77 (2OT)

Nov. 14, 2023 | Chicago IL | United Center

• No. 9 Duke 74, No. 18 Michigan State 65
• No. 1 Kansas 89 No. 17 Kentucky 84