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December 8, 2010

New Three-Year Event Pits Four of College Basketball’s Winningest Programs

Champions Classic Features Matchups between Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State

Beginning next year, ESPN will launch a three-year men’s college basketball event featuring Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State – four of the sport’s winningest programs – playing each other from a different neutral site location each year. The Champions Classic matchups will serve as prime time telecasts during ESPN’s annual College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon on Nov. 15, 2011; Nov. 13, 2012; and Nov. 12, 2013.

“The unique Champions Classic event brings together four of the all-time best programs and coaches to create a tremendous pillar for the start of the college basketball season over the next three years,” said Nick Dawson, director, ESPN programming and acquisitions. “We appreciate the cooperation of the schools for embracing the challenge of playing the sport’s premier programs in three great basketball cities."

Champions Classic Schedule

Game times are to be determined

The Champions Classic features:

• Three of the top four all-time winningest men’s college basketball programs: Kentucky (first), Kansas (second) and Duke (fourth);
  
  
• A combined 16 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships (since 1939): Kentucky (seven), Duke (four), Kansas (three) and Michigan State (two);
  
  
• A total of 22 NCAA Final Four appearances in the past 20 years: Duke (seven), Michigan State (six), Kansas F(five) and Kentucky (four);
  
  
• Four teams currently ranked in the top 16 of the ESPN/USA Today poll: No. 1 Duke, No. 4 Kansas, No. 8 Michigan State and No. 16 Kentucky.