Kansas vs. Michigan State 2015 Champions Classic Preview, TV Schedule, Prediction

TV Schedule: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN

Stadium: United Center

The college basketball season always starts off with a bang thanks to the College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon. Having an event like the Champions Classic certainly helps as well.

The title basically says it all. Four very successful basketball programs meet up. It is not a tournament per se, but it is pure awesomeness out on the basketball court.

For this year’s festivities, the Kansas Jayhawks will take on the Michigan State Spartans in the later game, and the Duke Blue Devils and Kentucky Wildcats will flex their elite muscles against one another in the earlier game.

READ: Top Games To Watch During 2015 College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon

Year after year, Kansas contends (or should I say wins) for a Big 12 title. For 2015-16, Bill Self has yet another group that will contend for the conference title and for the national title. Here’s some preseason proof: Kansas is ranked as high as No. 4. As is typically the case nowadays in basketball, the Jayhawks are dealing with some turnover. Cliff Alexander and Kelly Oubre Jr. are no longer on the squad.

Fear not, as the team does bring back plenty of talent and reloaded in the recruiting department as well.

It really doesn’t matter who is on Tom Izzo‘s team … seriously. The man is a genius in March and he always seems to have a team that competes for a title. Last year, Michigan State certainly didn’t have its best team of all time, but it still made the — you guessed it — Final Four.

For 2015-16, many are hoping Denzel Valentine enters the superstar zone, and he definitely has the goods to do so. West Virginia transfer Eron Harris also joins the mix, and he could contend for Big 10 Player of the Year if he doesn’t skip a beat on his new team.

This battle might not mean much now, but it adds zest to the new season and the NCAA tournament committee certainly keeps track of these non-conference showdowns.

Although both schools enter the season with some mystery, I’m going with the Spartans. Valentine will take the next step and Harris will be a scoring machine.

PREDICTION: Jayhawks 71, Spartans 77

CHECK IT OUT: Bold Predictions For 2015-16 College Basketball Season

Trevor Lowry is a Content Associate at www.RantSports.com. If you’re a tweeter feel free to follow him @TheTrevorLowry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.