The 2024-25 men’s college basketball season began last Monday with a slew of games. For many across the country, though, their attention won’t be fixed on the sport until Tuesday night, when four of the best, most consistently successful programs in the country square off against one another.

The 2024 Champions Classic will tip off at State Farm Arena in Atlanta with No. 1 Kansas taking on Michigan State, a matchup that will be followed later in the night by a game between No. 6 Duke and No. 18 Kentucky.

The Jayhawks entered the season as the No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and remained there after an undefeated first week that was finished off by a 92-89 victory against then-No. 10 North Carolina inside a raucous Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. Coach Bill Self’s team led by as many as 20 before squandering the lead late and rallying for the win.

REQUIRED READING: What channel is the Champions Classic on today? Time, TV schedule to watch CBB event

Kansas will face yet another test on Tuesday against the Spartans, who are ranked outside of the top 25 of the Coaches Poll, but have won at least 20 games in 12 consecutive full seasons. Tom Izzo’s team is also off to a 2-0 start after being picked to finish fifth in the preseason the newly reconfigured 18-team Big Ten.

Follow along here for the live score, updates, highlights and more from Kansas vs. Michigan State basketball in the Champions Classic:

Kansas basketball vs Michigan State score updates

Kansas vs Michigan State live updates

Updates will begin close to 6:30 p.m. ET tip-off.

Pregame

The three referees working Tuesday night’s game in Atlanta between Kansas and Michigan State are Keith Kimble, Paul Szelc and Tony Padilla.

Here’s a look at the starting lineups Tuesday night for the Jayhawks and Spartans, according to the StatBroadcast feed:

Kansas

• G Dajuan Harris Jr.
• G Zeke Mayo
• G Rylan Griffen
• F KJ Adams
• C Hunter Dickinson

Michigan State

• G Jeremy Fears Jr.
• G Jaden Akins
• F Frankie Fidler
• F Xavier Booker
• C Szymon Zapala

What channel is Kansas vs Michigan State on today?

Kansas’ game against Michigan State will air on ESPN, with Dan Shulman (play-by-play) and Jay Bilas (analyst) on the call, while Jess Sims serves as the floor reporter. Streaming options include watch ESPN and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Watch Kansas vs Michigan State in the Champions Classic with Fubo (free trial)

Kansas vs Michigan State history

• Series record: Series tied 5-5
• Kansas’ last win: 2021 (Kansas 87, Michigan State 74)
• Michigan State’s last win: 2015 (Michigan State 79, Kansas 73)

Kansas vs Michigan State predictions

Graham Couch, Lansing State Journal: Kansas 83, Michigan State 74

“It’s hard for me to imagine MSU winning this game unless the 3-point shots start to fall in a big way. We’re going to find out how ready this group is to compete at a Final Four-type level. Because unlike some years when MSU has beaten what’s turned out to be a disappointing Kentucky or Duke team at the Champions Classic, this Kansas squad is unquestionably a legitimate contender.”

Kansas vs Michigan State betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Nov. 11

• Moneyline: Kansas -250 | Michigan State +195
• Spread: Kansas (-5.5)
• Over/under: 150.5 points

Michigan State basketball schedule 2024-25

Here’s a look at the Spartans’ November 2024-25 schedule, including available start times. For the full schedule, click here.

All times ET

• Monday, Nov. 4: vs. Monmouth (W, 85-67)
• Friday, Nov. 8: vs. Niagara (W, 96-60)
• Tuesday, Nov. 12: vs. Kansas, Champions Classic, 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 16: vs. Bowling Green, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 19: vs. Samford, 8 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 25: vs. Colorado, 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 26: vs. UConn/Memphis, TBA
• Wednesday, Nov. 27: vs. UNC/Dayton/Iowa State/Auburn, TBA

Kansas basketball schedule 2024-25

Here’s a look at the Jayhawks’ November 2024-25 schedule, including available start times. For the full schedule, click here.

All times ET

• Monday, Nov. 4: vs. Howard (W, 87-57)
• Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. North Carolina (W, 92-89)
• Tuesday, Nov. 12: vs. Michigan State, Champions Classic, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 19: vs. UNC-Wilmington, 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 26: vs. Duke, Vegas Showdown, 8 p.m
• Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Furman, TBA

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A beloved music director at a Michigan catholic church was fired after an unknown source informed church officials of his same-sex marriage — sparking outrage from parishioners, with many protesting and some renouncing their membership over the termination.

Fred Szczepanski was canned from his position at St. Francis Church in Traverse City on Oct. 18 after the church officials discovered he had a same-sex marriage ceremony to his longtime partner in Nevada in 2020, according to Traverse City Record-Eagle.  

Szczepanski, known by churchgoers as “Mr. Fred,” was confronted by Rev. Michael Lingaur after church leaders received a letter from an unnamed individual about his marriage.

When confronted, he confirmed the marriage and was informed by Lingaur that his services were no longer needed after serving as the church’s music director for 34 years. Szczepanski was also told he could no longer take communion during worship services.

Following his termination, the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan, wrote in a statement that Szczepanski’s marriage violates the ministerial agreement condition of his employment.

“A public act of same-sex marriage is a formal recognition that a relationship is more than friendship, and thereby jeopardizes a ministerial agreement for employment,” the Diocese said.

“Marriage is a permanent, faithful and exclusive covenant between one man and one woman.”

However, the firing outraged parishioners, leading to multiple shows of protest in support of Szczepanski.

Choir members wore black, left their seats empty, and refused to sing during mass on Oct. 20.

Then, on Oct. 27, supporters of the longtime music director picketed outside the church in protest before carrying signs reading: “Love Not Hate,” “God Includes, Not Excludes,” and “Fired Not Retired.”

“People are hurt, people are sad, in a time where there is so much controversy in the world, the church needs to be a place of peace, and instead its turmoil after turmoil,” churchgoer Toni Stanfield told the outlet.

Some parishioners and choir members even renounced their St. Francis church membership or planned to, according to the outlet.

A former church choir member, Liz Yarch, said she resigned over the firing and that “some people were told” Szczepanski retired and wasn’t fired.

“Last I checked, people who have served for over 30 years get a retirement party,” Yarch told the outlet.

“Fred was fired for his personal life and I find that cruel.”

Szczepanski had announced earlier this year that he planned to retire in January, which further outraged many parishioners and choir members who believed he should have been allowed to retire.

“He got fired because he’s gay,” choir member Bob Holden said.

“He’s extremely talented, he’s perfect on the piano, he has perfect pitch and because of him, I look forward to going to church every week. I’m divorced. Do I get thrown out next?”

Dave Martin, a member of the church’s pastoral council, said he was one of the church officials who received the letter, which he said had an out-of-state postmark and was written by a person “who had a seasonal connection to St. Francis,” according to the outlet.

Martin and Rev. Lingaur referred to a statement issued by the Diocese when further asked about the firing, according to the outlet.

“Somebody got wind of that and did some digging,” choir member Sherry Koenig told the outlet.

“It’s despicable what has happened and how it has happened. Mr. Fred is kind, honorable, and caring.”

The longtime music director’s husband, Bill Thompson, has set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of insurance, legal fees, and bills.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that Szczepanski declined to comment on whether he planned to file a wrongful termination lawsuit.

To worship, however, Szczepanski has been welcomed with open arms at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation said over 245 people attended its service on Nov. 3 to “affirm and stand with Mr. Fred Szczepanski.”

The recruiting battle for five-star Belleville (Mich.) quarterback Bryce Underwood has heated up in recent weeks, as Michigan football puts on a full-court press in an attempt to flip the No. 1 player in the 2025 class from his commitment to LSU.

However, after visiting Baton Rouge for the Tigers’ home game against Alabama this past weekend, the latest report on Underwood’s leanings is not good news for the Wolverines.

“There is a strong sense that Bryce Underwood will sign with LSU in a few weeks,” Rivals’ national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman reported on Monday. “After returning to Baton Rouge this weekend, the expectations is that Underwood will be a Tiger.”

Michigan has gone all-in on its attempt to sway Underwood away from LSU, with reports suggesting the five-star is in for an NIL deal approaching $10 million from whichever school he signs with during the early signing period in December.

Fresh off his visit to LSU, it appears as if Underwood’s commitment to the Tigers remains firm. Time will tell is the Wolverines are able to make any headway in their efforts with the five-star prior to his decision day on Dec. 4.

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