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Champions Classic: Hunter Dickinson leads Kansas past MSU; Kentucky rallies past Duke

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Champions Classic: Hunter Dickinson leads Kansas past MSU; Kentucky rallies past Duke


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While the college basketball season is already a week old, the unofficial event serving as the tip-off of the new year in the sport, the Champions Classic, took place Tuesday night in Atlanta. With No. 1 Kansas and Michigan State in the opener, followed by No. 6 Duke and No. 19 Kentucky in the late game, there was no shortage of buzz or storylines surrounding the heavyweight clashes. 

The evening opened with the nation’s No. 1 team handling business in a rugged affair. Hunter Dickinson had 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Jayhawks to a 77-69 win over the Spartans. But as good as Dickinson was, the headline of the night was his head coach, Bill Self, who made more history by earning his 591st victory, passing Phog Allen to become Kansas’ winningest head coach. 

Later on in the nightcap, the Kentucky Wildcats, with a new-look offense and a transfer-heavy roster, came back from 10 down to beat Duke, 77-72. 

The Blue Devils had the ball with 26 seconds remaining, and the game tied at 72-72. Cooper Flagg, the top-rated freshman in the nation and projected No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick, got the ball and was stripped before fouling Kentucky’s Otega Oweh. With his team down two and 10 seconds left, Flagg received the in-bounds pass and drove down the left side before losing his handle on the ball and his footing, causing a game-sealing turnover. Lamont Butler made his first free throw, and then an offensive rebound cemented the Wildcats’ victory. 

Here are three takeaways from each of Tuesday night’s Champions Classic games:

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1. This was personal for Hunter Dickinson, who single-handedly willed Kansas in a game that was far from pretty. 

Tuesday night’s Champions Classic opener certainly won’t be hung for display in the Louvre, with the two teams opening the contest by shooting 6-for-31 from the floor. But the difference-maker was the national player of the year candidate and fifth-year Jayhawks senior, who dominated the game. Tom Izzo told the ESPN broadcast at halftime that he was willing to go single-man coverage on the All-American if it meant the other Jayhawks were quiet. That strategy certainly kept Michigan State in the game, but it provided little resistance to the 7-foot-2 Dickinson. He scored the game’s first eight points for Kansas. At one point in the second half, Michigan State tied the game at 41, 43 and 45 – with Dickinson supplying the game-tying buckets each trip down for the Jayhawks. 

When the Spartans put together one last effort to cut Kansas’ lead to 68-61 with 2:38 remaining, Zeke Mayo missed a layup and Dickinson saved the day, delivering the dagger putback that sealed the deal. 

This was personal for the former Michigan Wolverine, who was on the receiving end of boos from Spartan fans throughout the night. With less than two minutes on the clock, Dickinson made a motion to the Spartans and their fans, stomping his foot on the hardwood. 

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“I was saying they’re too small,” Dickinson said in his postgame press conference. “They can’t guard me. This was a very big game for me.”

2. Michigan State lacks perimeter shooting.

You could really feel the departure of All-Big Ten selection Tyson Walker on Tuesday night. Tom Izzo was counting on Jaden Akins and Jeremy Fears to take the reins of the backcourt, but Akins shot 1-for-8 and was a nonfactor, while Fears was 3-for-8 from the floor. It’s amazing the Spartans came as close as they did and were in the game with five minutes remaining. Omaha transfer Frankie Fidler put together some good moments, posting 15 points and eight rebounds, while Jaxon Kohler had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Jase Richardson, the son of the Michigan State legend and two-time NBA Slam Dunk contest champion Jason Richardson, had some good moments with eight points. 

But the Spartans shot just 3-for-24 from 3-point range on the night. On the season, Michigan State is 12-for-60 from downtown. The law of averages says that won’t continue, but it’s clear that Izzo has a problem on the perimeter, and he has to find a solution. That was an issue at times last year after the graduation of Joey Hauser. 

3. Did Kansas look like the No. 1 team in the country? No, but Hunter Dickinson put it best. 

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Dajuan Harris, KJ Adams and Mayo shot a combined 5-for-22 from the field, which was far from pretty. Kansas has a perimeter problem of its own, as the players the Jayhawks brought in need to put the ball on the floor to score and the catch-and-shoot threats, at least at this moment, aren’t consistent. AJ Storr, a Wisconsin transfer, and Mayo are ball handlers that can score off the bounce at a high level. But Self does not have that elite shooter in his arsenal, and it has shown in the last two games. Against the Spartans and North Carolina, Kansas has combined to shoot 11-for-38 from distance.

But Dickinson responded to a question from a reporter in the press conference regarding whether this was the type of performance from a No. 1-caliber team. 

“I mean, there’s no better record that we could have right now than 3-0,” he said. “We beat a top-10 team, North Carolina, and we just beat another team who will likely end up being in the top-25, Michigan State. Are there things we can get better at? Of course. But we’ll take this any day of the week.” 

Dickinson caps his two-year run in the Champions Classic with a combined 55 points and 33 rebounds in wins over Kentucky and Michigan State. He lived for the bright lights again Tuesday, and his Hall of Fame coach got his much-deserved shine. 

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1. Andrew Carr and Otega Oweh showed their experience down the stretch.

Carr, a Wake Forest transfer who is now in his fifth college season, hit a big and-1 with Kentucky down 67-64.  After a Wildcats stop, he was on the elbow with the ball when Oweh, an Oklahoma transfer, flashed to the bucket and received a pass for a go-ahead lay-in. The duo combined to score 12 of Kentucky’s final 13 points in the victory. 

Duke five-star freshman big man Khaman Maluach was dealing with cramping from the 9:20 mark to the 3:57 mark in the game. When he left, Duke was up 61-55. When he re-entered, it was 67 apiece. His absence certainly changed the game, but Kentucky still capitalized with Carr making a major difference with his presence. That’s a transfer portal win for Pope. 

 2. This is a learning moment for Cooper Flagg, and we should remember he’s 17 years old. 

Without Flagg, Duke would have been lost in its offensive execution beyond the final 90 seconds of the game. Some might be critical of the freshman, and everyone will have an opinion, but here’s mine: Flagg will learn from this and be better off for a game like this. The freshman finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds along with a +/- of +27. His impact on the game knows no limits. Yes, he unraveled in the game’s final two possessions, but we’re nine days into the season. You can’t overreact to this. 

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One big-picture item for Duke: The lack of elite and consistent point guard play with Jeremy Roach gone to Baylor – yes, he was inconsistent too – could be felt late in the game. Flagg was the man Duke relied upon, but a situation where Tyrese Proctor has ups and downs in a game and Caleb Foster isn’t a crunch-time player yet, certainly was seen late in the game. Duke went 4-for-22 from 3-point land. Now, I think this was an outlier for Kon Knueppel, who went 5-for-20 and will certainly respond from this. But if he does not make 3s, the Blue Devils are in trouble in that department. Duke’s poor shooting from downtown made a big difference in this game. Kentucky started 5-for-5 from deep and finished with 10 treys, including a big one down the stretch from Kerr Kriisa. 

3. Everything about the Mark Pope Era is refreshing for the Kentucky faithful.

Walking around the concourse at State Farm Arena on Tuesday night, one Kentucky fan approached me: “At the end of the day, John Calipari’s time featured a ton of incredible moments. But it was time for the end. A breakup was the best thing for us.” 

You can’t argue with that fan’s views right now. For the first time in years, the Wildcats were running a wide variety of set plays. It was not an over-reliance on youth, but rather personnel rooted in college experience. Kentucky’s entire starting five are upperclassmen. And on a night where presumed star Jaxson Robinson had only one point and was a non-factor, where Amari Williams went 3-for-12 and Kriisa shot 2-for-9, the Wildcats didn’t let some cold spells define them. They showed their depth by going 10-deep, outscoring Duke’s bench, 25-6, and having six players score at least eight points. 

On this night, Kentucky fans have to feel the best they have in years. They have a leader who is one of their own, a member of the legendary 1996 Untouchables, who showed he can get it done with the spotlight on him and his first attempt at a big win. 

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In Pope they trust. And Atlanta watering holes will make their month’s rent, if not more, from Big Blue Nation. 

As for Duke, the Blue Devils will be fine. If anyone has pressure on him, it’s Scheyer, who is in his third year with a really talented team that just crumbled in the late-goings. It’s a Final Four or bust year in Durham. Let’s see how the Blue Devils respond. 

John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him at @John_Fanta.

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]

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Travis Hunter responds to Kansas’ Cobee Bryant after trash talk episodes

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Travis Hunter responds to Kansas’ Cobee Bryant after trash talk episodes


Kansas Jayhawks defensive back Cobee Bryant has made it clear he’s been anticipating this weekend’s matchup against the No. 16 Colorado Buffaloes. In an interview earlier this week, Bryant openly expressed his excitement to face Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter. “I’m not going to lie, I have been waiting,” Bryant said. “I already marked this on my notes… I’ve been waiting on this game all season. This is gonna be the game.” His eagerness spilled over onto social media, where he posted, “Now I’m piss hurry tf up Saturday I meant that omm bet,” highlighting his impatience for the showdown.

Despite Bryant’s bold trash talk, Hunter has kept a calm and confident demeanor. During a livestream, he responded to questions about Bryant, saying, “We let people talk, bro. Would that make him feel better? It’s going to make him feel better, let that boy talk. They know they are going to have to double team.” Hunter’s composed reply suggests he’s more focused on his game than engaging in verbal sparring.

Deion Sanders meets up with coaching legend before Kansas matchup

Bryant’s trash talk hasn’t been limited to Hunter. The Kansas defensive back also took aim at Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, reportedly texting him and drawing a response from the Buffs’ leader. Sanders, unshaken, has hinted at exploiting Kansas’ coverage, adding fuel to the growing tension. This back-and-forth has only energized the Buffaloes, who are vying to strengthen their College Football Playoff resume.

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For Kansas, this game represents a golden opportunity to make a statement by taking down a CFP-ranked opponent. A win would allow the unranked Jayhawks to end their season on a high note and potentially climb the rankings themselves. Colorado, meanwhile, has its sights set on maintaining momentum. A win over Kansas, followed by another against Oklahoma State, would propel the Buffaloes into the the Big 12 title game and keep their playoff hopes alive.

The stakes are high and the stage is set at Arrowhead Stadium. The clash between Kansas and Colorado promises to be intense, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.



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Will Weather Play a Factor in No. 16 Colorado vs. Kansas? Latest Update

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Will Weather Play a Factor in No. 16 Colorado vs. Kansas? Latest Update


As No. 16 Colorado and Kansas prepare to face off on Saturday, the stakes have never been higher.

Colorado enters the game with an 8-2 record and hopes of making a college football playoff run in year two under head coach Deion Sanders.

On the other hand, Kansas has struggled for much of the season but comes into this game with newfound confidence after securing back-to-back wins against Top-25 teams in program history.

The game is set to take place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time.

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Deion Sanders

Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on before the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

According to the latest forecast, the weather should be relatively mild, but there are a few elements to keep an eye on as the game unfolds.

Temperatures will reach a high of 57 degrees during the afternoon, with game-time conditions hovering around 54 degrees.

Fans attending the game can expect clear skies with only a 1% chance of precipitation, so rain isn’t expected to be a factor.

However, wind could still have an impact. Gusts of up to 10 mph are expected, which could affect passing and kicking games.

The humidity will sit at 43%, which shouldn’t be a significant factor for the teams, but it’s something to keep in mind as the afternoon wears on.

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Travis Hunter Fires Back at Kansas’ Cobee Bryant: ‘Stop Talking Crazy’

Deion Sanders Shares Heartfelt Message for Kansas’ Lance Leipold

Shedeur Sanders Makes Bold Claim Ahead of Matchup with Kansas Football



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KC Current’s Chawinga named NWSL MVP

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KC Current’s Chawinga named NWSL MVP


Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga was named the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League MVP on Friday, one day ahead of the league’s championship match.

Chawinga set a new single-season NWSL record with 20 goals this year for the Current.

She also scored the lone goal in the team’s quarterfinal victory and both goals in the championship of the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup last month.

“From the moment Temwa came to Kansas City, we knew she was capable of playing at an MVP level,” general manager Caitlin Carducci said in a statement.

“Not only has she been an incredible player on the pitch, she’s also been an incredible teammate and representative of the organization off it. Temwa laid an incredible foundation with her play in 2024, and we’re so excited for what’s to come in the years ahead.”

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Chawinga is the eighth NWSL Golden Boot winner to also win MVP in the same season since the league’s launch in 2013. She is the first African international to win either award.

The 26-year-old Malawi international arrived in Kansas City this year from the Chinese Super League and took the league by storm in the first season with her eye for goal and her game-changing speed.

Chawinga scored in 13 of the Current’s final 14 matches of the regular season, including goals in eight straight games, which was a first in league history.

She also scored a goal against all 13 other NWSL teams this season, another first, and she added five assists to the Current’s league-record 57 goals this season.

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Chawinga’s 20 goals broke Sam Kerr’s previous record of 18 in a season, which Kerr scored in 21 games.

Chawinga played in 25 regular-season games this year.

The next closest scorer in the regular season was Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda, who finished with 13 goals.

Banda scored in last week’s semifinal to help Orlando eliminate Kansas City from the playoffs.

Orlando takes on the Washington Spirit on Saturday in the NWSL Championship at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City.

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History of NWSL MVPs

2013: Lauren Holiday, FC Kansas City midfielder

2014: Kim Little, Seattle Reign FC midfielder

2015: Crystal Dunn, Washington Spirit forward

2016: Lynn Williams, Western New York Flash forward

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2017: Sam Kerr, Sky Blue FC forward

2018: Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC midfielder

2019: Sam Kerr: Chicago Red Stars forward

2021: Jess Fishlock, OL Reign midfielder

2022: Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns FC forward

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2023: Kerolin, North Carolina Courage forward



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