Kentucky vs. Kansas: Champions Classic Preview, How to Watch
We’re almost there, folks. In just about an hour, No. 17 Kentucky will tip it off vs. No. 1 Kansas in the Champions Classic at the United Center in Chicago.
After two easy wins, it’s time to see what this group of young Cats can do against the top-ranked team in the country. Is Kentucky’s talent enough to overcome Kansas’ experience and size in the middle? Once Duke vs. Michigan State wraps up and ESPN shares the latest College Football Playoff rankings, we’ll find out.
How to Watch
No. 17 Kentucky (2-0) vs. No. 1 Kansas (2-0)
9:30 p.m. ET (approximate) | Tuesday, November 14 | United Center, Chicago IL
- TV: ESPN (Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Holly Rowe)
- Streaming: WatchESPN
- Local Radio: 630 WLAP, UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Jack Givens)
- Online Radio: iHeart
- Satellite Radio: Sirius 106 or 190
- Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Team Records
No. 17/16 Kentucky: 2-0 (KenPom: 14)
- 11/6: 86-46 W vs. New Mexico State
- 11/10: 81-61 W vs. Texas A&M-Commerce
No. 1/1 Kansas: 2-0 (KenPom: 3)
- 11/6: 99-56 W vs. North Carolina-Central
- 11/10: 99-61 W vs. Manhattan
Kentucky vs. Kansas Odds on FanDuel
Spread: Kansas -6.5
Total: 147.5 points
Kentucky Total: 70.5 points
Kansas Total: 77.5 points
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Kentucky vs. Kansas Player Prop Bets on FanDuel
Points
- Justin Edwards: 11.5 points
- Tre Mitchell: 12.5 points
- Kevin McCullar Jr.: 13.5 points
- Hunter Dickinson: 18.5 points
- DJ Wagner: 11.5 points
- Antonio Reeves: 15.5 points
- Dajuan Harris Jr.: 7.5 points
- KJ Adams Jr.: 10.5 points
Rebounds
- Kevin McCullar Jr.: 5.5 rebounds
- Justin Edwards: 5.5 rebounds
- Tre Mitchell: 7.5 rebounds
- Hunter Dickinson: 8.5 rebounds
Assists
- Dajuan Harris Jr.: 5.5 assists
Kentucky Projected Starters
(Starting lineup based on the last game)
#21 – DJ Wagner
6-4 • 192 • GUARD • FRESHMAN
12.0 PPG, 3.5 APG, 1.0 RPG
#12 – Antonio Reeves
6-6 • 195 • GUARD • SENIOR
16.0 PPG (50% FG, 7-14 3PT), 4.0 RPG
#0 – Rob Dillingham
6-3 • 176 • GUARD • FRESHMAN
14.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.5 APG
#1 – Justin Edwards
6-8 • 203 • FORWARD • FRESHMAN
14.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG
#4 – Tre Mitchell
6-9 • 231 • FORWARD • GRADUATE STUDENT
13.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.0 APG
Kansas Projected Starters
(Starting lineup based on the last game)
#1 – Hunter Dickinson
7-2 • 260 • CENTER • SENIOR
19.5 PPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 BPG
#3 – Dajuan Harris Jr.
6-2 • 170 • GUARD • RS SENIOR
1.0 PPG, 7.5 APG, 2.5 RPG, 1.0 SPG
#13 – Elmarko Jackson
6-3 • 195 • GUARD • FRESHMAN
8.5 PPG, 7.5 APG, 1.5 RPG
#15 – Kevin McCullar Jr.
6-7 • 212 • GUARD • GRADUATE SENIOR
18.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 4.5 APG
#24 – KJ Adams Jr.
6-7 • 235 • FORWARD • JUNIOR
13.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
For more on the Jayhawks, I encourage you to read Brandon Ramsey’s very thorough Scouting Report.
Kentucky vs. Kansas, Champions Classic History
This will be the 36th meeting between Kentucky and Kansas, the two winningest teams in college basketball history (the Cats reclaimed the top spot last month). Kentucky holds a 24-11 edge in the series, but it’s tied at 5-5 in the John Calipari Era. This is the 11th game between the two programs over the last 13 years. The Jayhawks have won four of the last six.
Kentucky is 8-15 against No. 1-ranked teams, 3-2 in the John Calipari Era. The last time Kentucky played a top-ranked team was the 2019 Champions Classic, when the No. 2 Cats beat the No. 1 Michigan State Spartans 69-62. Kentucky is 5-7 in the Champions Classic, 2-2 when facing Kansas in the event.
Kentucky in the Champions Classic
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Venue |
| 11/15/2011 | Kansas | W | 75 – 65 | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) |
| 11/13/2012 | Duke | L | 68 – 75 | Georgia Dome (Atlanta, GA) |
| 11/12/2013 | Michigan State | L | 74 – 78 | United Center (Chicago, IL) |
| 11/18/2014 | Kansas | W | 72 – 40 | Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN) |
| 11/17/2015 | Duke | W | 74 – 63 | United Center (Chicago, IL) |
| 11/15/2016 | Michigan State | W | 69 – 48 | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) |
| 11/14/2017 | Kansas | L | 61 – 65 | United Center (Chicago, IL) |
| 11/6/2018 | Duke | L | 84 – 118 | Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN) |
| 11/5/2019 | Michigan State | W | 69 – 62 | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) |
| 12/1/2020 | Kansas | L | 62 – 65 | Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN) |
| 11/9/2021 | Duke | L | 71 – 79 | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) |
| 11/15/2022 | Michigan State | L | 77 – 86 2 OT | Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN) |
| 11/14/2023 | Kansas | – | – | United Center (Chicago, IL) |
| 11/12/2024 | Duke | – | – | State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA) |
| TBD, 2025 | Michigan State | – | – | TBD |
Pregame Storylines
How will Kentucky’s makeshift frontcourt fare vs. Hunter Dickinson?
Kentucky will be without all three of its seven-footers tonight as Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso continue to work their way back from foot injuries and Zvonimir Ivisic awaits clearance from the NCAA. That leaves Tre Mitchell as Kentucky’s big man, at 6’9″, to go up against 7’2″ center Hunter Dickinson. Kentucky has three 6’8″ players to provide support inside, including sophomore Adou Thiero, who is expected to return after missing the last game due to concussion protocol. Will it be enough against Dickinson, who is averaging 19.5 points and 8.0 rebounds so far this season?
Hey, Hunter!
It wasn’t that long ago that we thought Hunter Dickinson would be Kentucky’s next big man. Dickinson entered the transfer portal following his junior season at Michigan and picked Kansas over Kentucky, Maryland, and Villanova. Dickinson said NIL was the primary factor in his decision, but he did tell a story of how John Calipari ordered chicken tenders while at Jeff Ruby’s on Dickinson’s visit. We later learned those tenders were for Calipari’s dog, but it’s still the first thing I remember about his recruitment.
Youth vs. Experience
Kansas is one of the oldest squads in the country, ranking 31st in Division I experience with an average of 2.68 years. Kentucky is 150th, with 1.97 years of Div. I experience per player. When you break that down by age, the Cats are the seventh-youngest team in the country, with an average age of 20.0 years.
We know Kentucky’s freshmen are talented, but is that talent enough to beat an experienced and talented squad three games into the season?
Join The Discussion on KSBoard
For the first time in over a decade, KSR will be without its in-game live blogs, a longtime tradition here on the blog. Unfortunately, the company that hosted the KSR live blogs no longer exists, so we are without the machine that made it all possible.
If you still want to interact with the KSR crew tonight, consider joining the conversation on KSBoard. New members can try 1 month for $1.
Rapid Reaction on the KSR YouTube Channel
Fall asleep early? KSR’s got you covered. Jack Pilgrim and Steven Peake are at the United Center and will share their Rapid Reactions on the KSR YouTube Channel. We’ll also have wall-to-wall postgame coverage on the website, including highlights, comments from John Calipari and the players, stats, and takeaways.
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