Kansas Jayhawks guard Zeke Mayo (5) dribbles the ball in opposition to North Carolina Tar Heels guard Ian Jackson (11) within the first half of the sport inside Allen Fieldhouse Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. The 14th annual Champions Traditional in Atlanta on Tuesday brings the early school basketball highlight with a headlining doubleheader that includes No. 1 Kansas and unranked Michigan State.
The occasion, which additionally options No. 7 Duke and No. 23 Kentucky, is in Atlanta for the primary time since 2012, when it was held on the Georgia Dome. The 2024 version options the nation’s high staff, however its nothing new for the Jayhawks and Spartans to hunt out early measuring sticks.
Kansas (2-0) breezed previous Howard 87-57 on Nov. 4 in its season opener earlier than warding off No. 9 North Carolina 92-89 on Friday. The Jayhawks noticed their 20-point, first-half lead disappear at residence in opposition to the Tar Heels however scored the sport’s last 5 factors for his or her first marquee win of the season.
South Dakota State switch guard Zeke Mayo led Kansas with 21 factors off the bench, whereas fifth-year senior Hunter Dickinson recorded 20 factors and 10 rebounds.
Mayo, a Lawrence, Kan., native and final season’s Summit League Participant of the 12 months, leads his new staff with a mean of 20 factors per recreation.
“(Zeke) met the chance with flying colours,” Kansas coach Invoice Self mentioned of his efficiency on Friday. “He was implausible. He made a few performs off the bounce that had been simply implausible. He was nice, and we wanted every little thing he gave us.”
Alongside Mayo, Dickinson — the Massive 12 Preseason Participant of the 12 months — and KJ Adams Jr. return to the Jayhawks, averaging 18 and 10.5 factors per recreation, respectively. Kansas is 8-5 all-time within the Champions Traditional, together with 2-2 in opposition to the Spartans.
The groups most just lately met within the occasion in 2021, with Kansas successful 87-74.
Regardless that his staff is favored in Tuesday’s recreation, Self is aware of to not underestimate a Tom Izzo-coached staff.
“Enjoying Tom’s groups is completely different as a result of he runs extra units than anyone within the nation,” Self mentioned. “Getting your guys ready for what they do, it’s going to be a multi-day scout.”
The Spartans (2-0) have blown out two outmatched opponents this season, beating Monmouth 81-57 and Niagara 96-60. Michigan State’s high two scorers are each returnees in Jaden Akins — who’s averaging 16.5 factors a recreation — and Jaxon Kohler (12.5).
Kohler had 20 factors and 13 rebounds in opposition to Niagara in a lopsided victory, however Izzo is aware of Tuesday will probably be a special story.
“We had been capable of get the ball inside and out of doors; we had 52 factors within the paint,” Izzo mentioned. “I do not assume that is going to occur on Tuesday evening, however it’s all about setting the tempo. What we have been doing properly is what we have to proceed to do. I feel we’ve got some versatility in and out, and I like the way in which we have moved the ball.”
Michigan State is 5-8 within the Champions Traditional, which started in 2011. After upsetting No. 4 Kentucky within the 2022 occasion in double extra time, 86-77 in Indianapolis, the Spartans fell to No. 9 Duke 74-65 final 12 months in Chicago.
–Discipline Stage Media