Champions Classic: All aboard the Duke hype train, Kansas shows why they’re No. 1

The college basketball season began with a bang with the Champions Classic providing an early glimpse into March Madness.

On a dark, cold, windy night in November, I couldn’t help but think about late March and filling out my bracket for March Madness. It’s hard not to think ahead to the pinnacle of the sport when the season tipped off with two must-see games to start the season on a high for fans.

The Champions Classic has been around for eight years, but this might be the best matchups they delivered for fans yet.

No. 1 Kansas took on No. 10 Michigan State in the opener with the Jayhawks flexing early and looking like the top team in the nation with a 14-point halftime lead. Credit the Spartans for making it close late, but the Jayhawks held on for the 92-87 win in a game that wasn’t close as the final score would indicate.

Memphis transfer Dedric Lawson fit in perfectly well as he stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. He looks as good as advertised.

Freshman point guard Quentin Grimes is living up to the Deron Williams comparisons after scoring 21 points and dishing out four assists.

He’s already a star.

Center Udoka Azubuike finished with 17 points. When he’s the third best player, it’s clear to see why Kansas is the No. 1 team.

Having Bill Self and Tom Izzo playing an early chess match was not just a great litmus test for both teams to begin the season, but it provided a glimpse into a game that fans could be watching in late March or early April where every possession matters.

There were no brackets busted tonight, but it had the feel of big-time college basketball with big-time stakes. I wish college football would start their season with similar marquee matchups that could be possible playoff previews.

Sure, it’s a different sport where one loss can sink your battleship before you even get into conference play, but beginning with Kansas-Michigan State to set the table for No. 2 Kentucky and No. 4 Duke in the nightcap was as much fun watching college basketball on a Tuesday in November that I can ever recall.

As great as the Spartans-Jayhawks appetizer was, it was the main course of the Blue Devils and their loaded recruiting class, featuring Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish taking on Jim Calipari’s Wildcats that had me most excited.

Hey, as great as the nachos or potato skins are, it’s never going to top the steak fajitas or loaded cheeseburger. That said, the game didn’t provide the same late drama that the opener did as Duke demolished Kentucky like I would steak fajitas right now.

Duke’s heralded freshman class lived up to the hype. I was counting down the seconds until Williamson had a breakaway where he could try to take down the rim with a dunk attempt. It was a little disappointing that he didn’t pull a Shaq or Bryant “Big Country” Reeves and take the backboard down with him.

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I couldn’t wait to see Barrett showcase his silky, smooth game that reminds me of a taller James Harden. He had 20 in the first half to support the early belief he is the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

I couldn’t wait to see Reddish hit wide-open jumpers because of the attention paid to his fellow phenoms. The trio did all of that early and often against a Kentucky team that was sorely overmatched by Coach K’s crew.

They’re must-see TV like Seinfeld or Friends. You have to set your DVR’s to watch this Duke trio.

Williamson had 28, Reddish chipped in 22 as the No. 1, 2 and 3 recruits from last year combined for 88 points in the 118-84 win. The 34-point loss is the worst for Calipari at Kentucky. If this was a video game, Kentucky would have rage quit at halftime.

No matter how one-sided this game was, I would totally sign up for a rematch in the Elite 8 with a trip to the Final Four on the line. I bet the rematch would be much closer.

College basketball has only just begun but there were stars born tonight.

I can’t help but think about how fun it’s going to be when the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the grass is green and March Madness is upon us to see this collection of talent on the court again.