KU Jayhawks basketball game vs. Duke at Champions Classic won’t be a season opener
Kansas men’s basketball will play Duke in the 12th-annual Champions Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 15 in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, it was announced Thursday.
The one-day doubleheader, which also includes a game between Kentucky and Michigan State, will not open the 2022-23 college basketball season. The Champions Classic has been moved one week from its season-opening slot in order to not be in conflict with Election Day, Nov. 8, in the United States, according to basketball analyst Jeff Goodman of Stadium.
The Champions Classic had occurred on opening night of the past four seasons. It did not open the COVID-19-affected 2020-21 season.
The Duke game will be KU’s third game of the regular season, a source close to the situation told The Star. KU will play an exhibition game, then two yet-to-be announced mid-major opponents at Allen Fieldhouse prior to the Champions Classic. Duke, which will be led by first-year coach Jon Scheyer, will play Jacksonville on Nov. 7, according to the Duke Update Twitter account.
The current Champions Classic contract runs through 2025 and will continue to feature KU, Duke, Kentucky and Michigan State. KU will play Kentucky in 2023, Michigan State in 2024 and Duke in 2025 at the Champions Classic. Dates and sites have yet to be announced.
KU won last year’s Champions Classic game against Michigan State, 87-74, in New York in the season opener for both teams. KU is 6-5 all-time at the Champions Classic. KU is 2-1 versus Duke at the event.
KU has yet to release its 2022-23 schedule.
The Jayhawks will meet Seton Hall in the Big 12/Big East Battle on Dec. 1 at Allen Fieldhouse. KU will also play host to Indiana on Dec. 17. Also KU will travel to Missouri and will have a road game in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.
The Jayhawks will join seven other teams in the Battle4Atlantis on Nov. 23-25 in Bahamas. The field consists of KU, Wisconsin, Tennessee, North Carolina State, USC, Dayton, BYU and Butler.
