Return of Michigan State to Kansas, 92-87, first place

Not when Kansas built a 17-point lead in the first period.

Not when the Jayhawks resisted all their advances in Tuesday's Champions Classic.

And not when they were 12 with just under 4 minutes to play.

But Tom Izzo's team could not finish his return in his opening match of the season.

The Spartans, ranked 10th, took 34.6 seconds to play with a Kyle Ahrens pointer with three points in advance over three points, but Kansas, No. 1, was imposed 92- 87.

MSU showed that there was a lot to work on in the coming weeks and months, as well as in the fact that it might be necessary to play in a ripping group throughout the year . The Spartans failed to score consistently, returned the ball and missed the free throws early in the day.

Nick Ward battled the big Kansas, finishing with nine points on two out of eight shots and five rebounds. Cassius Winston made five turnovers with 13 points and 11 assists.

Joshua Langford broke a gloomy first period to lead the Spartans with 18 points and four 3 points. Kenny Goins, who reduced the score to six points in 1:18, scored 17 points with 11 rebounds, a career high.

Quentin Grimes had 21 points and Dedrick Lawson added 20 for Kansas.

The MSU welcomes the Gulf Coast of Florida at 6 pm Sunday in the center of Breslin (BTN).

Junior fight

It's hard to know what Ward will look like this season after skirting the NBA project. However, the 6-foot-9 striker has shown many problems that he has faced over the past two seasons against the hiding of Kansas's big men.

Ward missed his five shots in the first period. He struggled to get rid of the double teams or to separate them by putting the ball on the ground, making two turnovers. He made 4 free throws out of 8 and managed only one rebound.

In the second half, Ward hit a pair of baskets but got in trouble.

He was not alone. Winston and Langford also had early offensive difficulties, although both helped MSU reach a single digit number in the first 4 minutes of the second half.

Langford, Goins warms up

After losing 17 points in the first period, the Spartans reduced Kansas's cushion.

Langford started shooting in the second half, scoring two quick shots. Then Goins hit his second pointer at 3 to get MSU in the 63-55 with 14:40 remaining.

But the Jayhawks blocked Ward's attempt to layup and threw him to the ground without a whistle. Devon Dotson hit a three-on-four pointer on the other end to give Kansas seven straight points.

Langford then took the bench after his fourth foul with the Spartans down 11.

MSU reduced the score to eight points with 5:39 to play after six points from Matt McQuaid and a Foster Foster rider. McQuaid finished with 12 points.

But the Jayhawks went to Udoka Azubuike in the position, and the middle distance scored six points in a row to allow them to reduce the lead to double digits.

Azubuike finished with 17 points.

Business figures and faults

It was a game full of turnovers for MSU and fouls for both teams.

Winston struggled to win against the young and fast back Kansas. He had three turnovers at half-time and two turnovers at the start of the second half.

MSU played carelessly all night with the ball, making eight turnovers in the first half and 18 for the match. The Jayhawks turned these points into 20 points.

The Spartans managed to get to the free throw line by shooting 28 fouls against Kansas and running the ball effectively. But MSU went only 23 out of 35 to the line.

MSU came back in the game, shooting 51.5% off the field in the second half, eight shots on goal.

There were 53 fouls committed between the two teams.