Dec. 8, 2010
LEXINGTON, KY – The University of Kentucky men’s basketball program has agreed to a three-year contract beginning in the 2011-12 season to play in the Champions Classic, pitting the Wildcats against three of the top programs in college basketball over a three-year span.
“This three-year event is a reward for how passionate these fan bases are for their teams,” Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari said. “It’s a unique opportunity for our fans across the nation to see us play in three major cities against top-level competition. We are looking forward to the challenge and sharing it with the Big Blue Nation, the best fans in the country.”
The first year of the Classic has Kentucky playing against Kansas, preceded by Duke-Michigan State in Madison Square Garden in New York on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
In 2012, Kentucky will take on Duke in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Michigan State and Kansas will play prior to the UK-Duke game.
Year 3 of the Classic has Kentucky taking on Michigan State in the United Center in Chicago, on Tuesday, Nov. 12. That game will be followed by Kansas-Duke.
“The support of the Big Blue Nation is unmatched and our fans deserve to see us play against the best competition available,” UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart said. “The Champions Classic on ESPN will provide a unique opportunity for four of the best college basketball programs to face off in double headers three consecutive years.”
The three-year, six-game Classic will tip-off the college basketball season. All six games will be televised on ESPN.
Champions Classic
Tuesday – November 15, 2011 (Madison Square Garden – New York)
- Duke vs. Michigan State
- Kentucky vs. Kansas
Tuesday – November 13, 2012 (Georgia Dome – Atlanta)
- Michigan State vs. Kansas
- Duke vs. Kentucky
Tuesday – November 12, 2013 (United Center – Chicago)
- Michigan State vs. Kentucky
- Kansas vs. Duke
Kentucky will be in action Wednesday night against Notre Dame as a part of the DirecTV SEC/Big East Invitational. Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. with the game being televised on ESPN.
