The 2019-20 college basketball season gets underway on Tuesday, with the Champions Classic serving once again as the traditional curtain-raiser.
Four of the main challengers for the national title meet at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, with Duke taking on Kansas, before Kentucky plays Michigan State.
The Spartans begin the season as the No.1-ranked team in both the Associated Press and the USA Today Coaches' poll, as they look to secure a first title since 2000.
Michigan State fell in the semifinal against eventual winner Virginia last season, but has retained a number of key players—chief among them Cassius Winston.
Big things are expected from freshman guard Rocket Watts, while Thomas Kithier should have a bigger role to play after Nick Ward left the program in the offseason.
Tom Izzo's team has both the depth and experience of a championship contender, but will have to cope with the absence of shooting guard Joshua Langford.
The 22-year-old suffered a foot injury last month and will be out at least until January.
The Spartans are the bookmakers' favorite to win the national title this season, something that remains an all-consuming thought for Izzo. However, he does not feel failure to win a second title will define his legacy.
"I'm kind of obsessed with it," he was quoted as saying by the Detroit Free Press.
"I don't need one to validate me anymore."
Like the Spartans, Kentucky has retained a number of key players, which explains why it's ranked No. 2 in both preseason polls.
The Wildcats have retained four rotation players—guards Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley, as well as power forward E.J. Montgomery and center Nick Richards—and have added highly-rated forward Nate Sestina.
Kansas and Duke, meanwhile, are the preseason No.3 and No.4 respectively. The Jayhawks expect big things from Udoka Azubuike, whose season was curtailed early doors last year after a serious injury, as well as Silvio DeSousa, who was ruled ineligible a year ago.
Meanwhile, it will be intriguing to see how Duke copes after losing Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett to the NBA draft.
The Blue Devils were last season's overwhelming favorite for the national title but came unstuck in the Elite Eight against Michigan State.
With Williamson and Barrett gone, Duke will pin its hopes of success firmly on Tre Jones' shoulders. However, doubts remain about the team's perceived lack of firepower.
Here's all you need to know ahead of this year's edition of the Champions Classic.
When is the 2019 Champions Classic?
The 2019 Champions Classic gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 5, when Duke takes on Kansas.
Kentucky then takes on Michigan State at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Where is the 2019 Champions Classic?
Both games will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
TV channel
Both games will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN.
Live stream
Live stream will be available via Watch ESPN and the ESPN app.
Odds
According to Oddschecker, Kansas is a 2.5-point favorite and is 23/25 to cover the spread, while Duke is a 57/50 underdog.
The over/under line in terms of total points scored, meanwhile, is set at 152.
In Tuesday night's other game, Michigan State is a three-point favorite and is 22/25 to cover the spread, while Kentucky is a 5/4 underdog.
The over/under line in terms of total points scored, meanwhile, is set at 138.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he was a news and business reporter at International Business Times UK. Dan has also written for The Guardian and The Observer.
Newsletter
