College basketball is getting underway, and early schedules often give teams a chance to build confidence and work through a few things before the Thanksgiving tournaments. But tonight brings a more meaningful test: Michigan State and Duke meet in the State Farm Champions Classic.
Michigan State is ranked fifth, with much of its optimism tied to the players who are back. Guard Jeremy Fears Jr. has been central to the Spartans’ offense, leading the team in scoring through its first two games at 12 points per game. Coen Carr brings energy on defense and on the boards, and that effort could help set the tone for the season.
The Spartans are 2-0, though their opening wins came against Quinnipiac and Toledo, by 37 and 30 points, respectively. Duke will be a much tougher measure. Michigan State will need contributions from its newer players, including Jasiah Jervis, who led the team in scoring last time out, and 7-foot Ethan Taylor. The roster has size and depth, and there’s no shortage of effort. Still, this is its first real test.
Duke enters ranked second. The Blue Devils have had plenty of high-profile talent pass through in recent seasons, including Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, but haven’t won a national title during that stretch. This year’s roster may not feature the country’s top-ranked player, but it does have serious size, with Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje and Cameron Williams among the players listed at 6-foot-11 or taller.
Duke’s height stands out across the roster: three players are over seven feet, and two more are at least 6-foot-10. That kind of depth inside can be hard to match, especially when fresh big men keep coming off the bench. Caleb Foster is expected to direct the offense, and the mix of returning players and newcomers looks promising.
The game is at Chicago’s United Center. Michigan State has the shorter trip, which could make the setting feel a little more familiar to the Spartans. Duke’s size could create problems, particularly if fouls become an issue. The arena can be a difficult place to shoot, and the total feels high to me. I’d lean toward the under, and take Michigan State plus 7.5 points.
