Links to preview the Kentucky-Kansas clash in the Champions Classic

Some notes and links heading into Tuesday night’s Champions Classic in Chicago:

Shreyas Laddha of the Kansas City Star breaks down the matchup between the No. 1-ranked Kansas and the 17th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats. “Kansas must force this athletic Wildcats team to shoot low-percentage shots.”

Ben Roberts of the Herald-Leader asks can the Cats stop Kansas center Hunter Dickinson? The former Michigan center visited UK before transferring to Kansas.

Aaron Gershon of the Cats Pause writes that UK got a taste of what could’ve been when it recruited Dickinson. Through two games with the Jayhawks, the 7-foot-2 center from Alexandria, Va. is averaging 19.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Mark Story of the Herald-Leader looks at how Kansas and Kentucky match up and makes a prediction for the 9:30 p.m. ET game.

Mark also writes that a Kentucky upset of No. 1-ranked Kansas would change the tone of UK’s season. “The accumulation of shared history means the coaching careers of John Calipari and Bill Self will always be linked.”

Ryan Black of the Courier-Journal writes that Kentucky is looking for a much-improved start. The Cats have opened with “sluggish” wins over New Mexico State and Texas A&M-Commerce.

Gary Bedore of the Kansas City Star writes about how Kansas is preparing for a Kentucky team that is missing its big men. Kansas has the size that Kentucky lacks.

Matt Tait of Wave the Wheat writes about how Kansas’ experience has fared in past Champions Classic contests. This is another veteran Kansas team.

Joe Cox of Saturday Down South says the best way to annoy a Kentucky fan is to call the Wildcats KU.

Steve Wiseman of the Raleigh News and Observer writes that Duke learned plenty of lessons from its loss to Arizona. The Blue Devils play Michigan State in the first game of the Champions Classic. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

Graham Couch of the Lansing Journal breaks down the Duke-Michigan State matchup. Each team brings a loss into the Chicago showdown.

Myron Medcalf of ESPN takes a look at both Michigan State-Duke and Kentucky-Kansas. “A win over Michigan State and Tom Izzo int he Champions Classic Tuesday would solidify (Jon Scheyer’s) new era at Duke.”

Kyle Boone of CBS Sports reports that there are plenty of 2024 NBA Draft prospects in the Champions Classic. Kentucky’s Justin Edwards leads his list.

Ben Roberts of the Herald-Leader wrote about the influence Justin Edwards’ mother has had on her son.

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