For the Spartans, this will be the second straight season in which they face off against the top-ranked team in the country in this tournament. Last year, the Spartans opened up the Champions Classic with an 88-81 loss against the then No. 1 Duke. 

MSU has lost three out of their last four appearances in the Champions Classic, dropping two games to Duke and one to Kentucky. Though the Spartans aren’t favored in this contest, they have had the upper hand against the Jayhawks in recent years as they have won four of their last six matchups during both the regular season and NCAA tournament, including two matchups in the Champions Classic.

In the Spartans' exhibition against Northern Michigan, they got solid showings out of guard Cassius Winston and forward Nick Ward. Winston went six for eight in scoring opportunities, putting up 13 points and seven assists in his 22 minutes on the court. Ward led the Spartan offense with 24 points on 62 percent shooting while bringing in nine rebounds and blocking a shot in his 20 minutes. 

Outside of their exhibition against Northern Michigan, the Spartans also warmed up against No. 3 Gonzaga in a private scrimmage in Minneapolis last month. The two teams played two twenty-minute halves in which the Spartans lost both 58-46 and 52-46. 

Starting off against such talented opponents should help prep them for tournament season, but these games are going to be quite challenging, especially for the younger players, according to Izzo.

“The first game, I have a feeling a couple of those freshman, if they play, it'll be shots into the tuba section,” Izzo said.

Kansas returns a number of key players, including center Udoka Azubuike, who averaged 13 points, seven rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game last season, along with guard Lagerald Vick, who put up 12.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest.

Kansas also boasts an impressive 2018 recruiting class, bringing in three top-30 recruits in guards Quentin Grimes and Devon Dotson, and forward David McCormack. 

Though the Jayhawks' roster consists of a number of big, strong bodies, their strength might be their backcourt. Izzo was not shy in stating that he needs his guards to perform better, and that they will have a big challenge going up against Grimes, Dotson and Vick.

“I think Kansas has got some very good guards, they’re younger guards,” Izzo said. “So it will be a good challenge for our guys.” 

But the Spartan frontcourt has the edge in experience, which is something they should be able to use all season long.

“A lot of these guys, we’ve been playing together for almost three years now,” Winston said. “I know where Quaid (Matt McQuaid) wants it, I know where Josh (Langford) wants it, I know where Nick wants it." 

Tipoff for the Spartans’ matchup with the Jayhawks is at 7 p.m. EST at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, and will be televised on ESPN.