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For the primary time within the near-decade of its existence, the Champions Basic will probably be held at two separate venues. Sources confirmed to CBS Sports activities on Friday that Michigan State will journey to play at Duke on Dec. 1, whereas Kentucky will face Kansas at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on the identical day. Adam Zagoria, who covers school basketball for Forbes, NJ.com and the New York Instances, was the primary to report the information.
“That is completed,” one supply stated. “All people is on the identical web page.”
Duke could have no followers within the stands for the Michigan State recreation. Sources instructed CBS Sports activities the rationale the Champions Basic will not be going to be in the identical constructing is because of differing COVID-19 protocols between the Large 12 and SEC vs. the ACC and Large Ten. The occasion lucked out this season in that Kansas (Large 12) was scheduled to play Kentucky (SEC), and so Duke (ACC) was lined up for Michigan State (Large Ten). Had the sport been in the identical constructing, COVID-19 protocols and cleansing procedures may need led to an elongated wait between video games. By shifting one recreation out of the venue, it permits for the made-for-TV occasion to go off loads simpler.
The scheduling tweak means Duke should return to play at Michigan State, almost certainly for the 2021-22 season, one supply stated. What’s not but decided is that if that return will probably be a part of the annual Large Ten-ACC Problem or as a separate standalone tilt. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has made it his customized in recent times to not schedule any nonconference highway video games until tv contracts dictate in any other case.
Kansas is ranked No. 6 in CBS Sports activities’ grasp rating of all 357 groups in school basketball. Kentucky is tenth, Duke is No. 12 and Michigan State No. 13.
An announcement on the Champions Basic will probably be made by the faculties and ESPN (which broadcasts the occasion) subsequent week. What’s but to be determined is which recreation will air first. That evening’s programming on ESPN may also function the Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings reveal, which has at all times been placed on the air after the conclusion of the primary Champions Basic recreation and earlier than the beginning of the second. Since there at the moment are two websites, there is not want for a 30-minute break between video games, so the precise order of the CFP rankings reveal, Kentucky-Kansas and Michigan State-Duke is but to be determined. When the official announcement is made, that data will probably be included.
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