No. 1 Kansas survived another big early season test and outlasted Michigan State 77-69 in Atlanta in the first of a Champions Classic doubleheader. The 3-0 Jayhawks never quite pulled away in convincing fashion but nonetheless controlled the game throughout before building a comfortable margin and burying the Spartans late.
Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson led all scorers in the winning effort with 28 points on 13-of-21 shooting in what was otherwise an ugly night for the Jayhawks on offense. Dajuan Harris Jr. and Rylan Griffen added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Kansas struggled to find consistency with its offense and, in particular, its struggles from distance plagued the No. 1-ranked Jayhawks, who finished 5 of 17 from 3-point range. But they picked a good night to have a bad night as Michigan State similarly struggled, finishing 3 of 24 from long range.
“I know we didn’t play very smart at times, but we at least competed well down the stretch,” KU coach Bill Self said on ESPN. “We had some bonehead plays; missed some layups, took a couple bad shots, but Hunt[er] Dickinson carried us in the second half.”
The win gave Self his 591st career win as head coach at Kansas, surpassing the great Phog Allen as the winningest coach in Jayhawks history.
CBS Sports was here with you throughout the evening with updates, highlights and analysis. Read on below for takeaways from Kansas’ victory vs. Michigan State in the Champions Classic.
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