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Eight of the top 13 varsity basketball teams will showcase a list of two-night highlights of the Champions Classic and Jimmy V Men’s Classic in early December.
ESPN announced details of the two non-conference events on Wednesday.
The State Farm Champions Classic takes place on December 1, with No.9 Duke facing No.13 Michigan State and No.10 Kentucky versus No.6 Kansas. The Blue Devils will host the Spartans, while Kentucky and Kansas will play at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Jimmy V Men’s Classic takes place on December 2, with No.12 from Tennessee taking on No.1 Gonzaga and No.2 Baylor playing No.8 from Illinois. These two games will be played at Bankers Life.
“It’s great for college basketball after missing March Madness,” said Baylor coach Scott Drew.
None of the games will have fans in attendance, but the coaches are just happy to be back in action.
“It’s great for the sport,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “We thought the best way to start the season would be to make the biggest splash possible. When you’re limited to just nine non-conference games, the opportunity to play such prestigious games is probably not as great as it is. before. It gives the sport much needed attention. “
“I think it’s healthy for society, I think it’s healthy for sports fans, I think it’s healthy for basketball,” said Illinois coach Brad Underwood . “What better way to do it than in the heart of America, in Indianapolis, with so many Final Fours and great venues. It’s basketball country. You bring eight of the best teams, the history of the coaches, the history of the programs. You really start your season, you present your season. I’m so glad we’re a part of it. “
The Jimmy V Women’s Classic takes place on December 4 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, featuring No.5 Louisville vs. No.3 UConn.
“ESPN Events is pleased to give these high performance programs the opportunity to compete in the State Farm Champions Classic and Jimmy V Classic as we continue to navigate the unique circumstances of this season,” said Clint Overby , vice-president of ESPN Events. “We look forward to safely holding these events and building the momentum for what we hope will be an exciting college basketball season.
The Champions Classic began in 2011, with Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State competing in a double title each fall. It was originally scheduled to take place in Chicago, but moved to Indianapolis due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the college basketball program.
“In the past when we opened the season with Michigan State or Duke or Kentucky you had exhibition games, you had a way to watch at least a little bit,” Self said. “It takes place a week later. So for this particular game it will probably be the best prepared that we have been to play against each other.”
“For us, the Champions have been a great way to start the season for 10 years. It’s one of the highlights of my season,” said Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. “I think it’s phenomenal. It’s a great way to start… I just can’t wait to be there. And I can’t wait to watch some of the [other games].
“Tonight is going to be something everyone is looking forward to.”
The Jimmy V Classic, named in honor of legendary college basketball coach Jim Valvano, began in 1995 and is used to raise funds and raise awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
“Jimmy V has been a bucket list item for me,” Drew said. “It’s such a great cause, such a great event. To be able to play it, against an opponent like Illinois, these are games that players get excited about, fans get excited. I’m going back with Coach Underwood; I have nothing but respect for the tremendous work he has done wherever he has been. And with all the uncertainty all of our student-athletes have had to face, to have the opportunity to test themselves against the best nation, I thought it was really important. “
“I think it’s good that, first of all, we start playing. Safety is the first and most important thing. But I can tell you our players want to play basketball,” said the Tennessee coach, Rick Barnes. “It’s what they do, it’s what they want to do. So I’m excited for them, excited for us, excited for the basketball world. Last season ended so abruptly. It didn’t ‘there was no end. So just the fact that you can bring these teams together. I’ve never been crazy about preseason predictions, and with COVID, you never know where the teams will be. had to stop and go several times. But enthusiasm wins out. “
Calendar of these events:
Tuesday 1 December
(Champions Classic)
No 13 Michigan State at No 9 Duke (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
No.10 Kentucky vs No.6 Kansas (9:30 p.m., ESPN)
Wednesday 2 December
(Jimmy V Men’s Classic)
No.12 Tennessee vs No.1 Gonzaga (7 p.m., ESPN)
No.2 Baylor vs No.8 Illinois (10 p.m., ESPN)
Friday 4 December
(Classic woman Jimmy V)
No.5 Louisville vs No.3 UConn (7 p.m., ESPN)
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