MSU vs Duke, KU vs UK

[kirbivore]

MSU’s championships really aren’t recent though - 1979 and 2000. By that logic, Villanova and UNC should definitely be invited.

I’m not really sure what the criteria for this Champion’s Classic is, but it seems like it’s been some combination of the same 4 teams for the last several years. They just rotate opponents.

It’s a way for them to get baked in resume games going around the preseason tournament rule

 

[Alsacs]

The Champions “Classic” isn’t a tournament.
ESPN owns the TV rights and produces the venue of this event.

The 4 teams give up 1 nonconference game each year for an event ESPN promotes and increases the teams brands.
The 4 teams give 3 year commitments every 3 years and just rotate who they play each year.

It’s not a tournament.