Tip-Off Time for Kentucky's Champions Classic Matchup Released

On Thursday, the tip-off times for each game in the 2024 Champions Classic were released just over two months away from the start of college basketball. The Champions Classic features prestigious blue bloods Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, and Michigan State, and is known as one of the more premier events in the college basketball season each year.

This year, the Wildcats are matched up with Duke, while Kansas will take on Michigan State. The tip-off times for each game were released on Thursday. Kansas and Michigan State will get the first game of the night, which will tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. That is followed by Kentucky's game against Duke at approximately 9 p.m. ET, also on ESPN. This year the event will be held in Atlanta. The Champions Classic usually rotates between Chicago, Madison Square Garden in New York City, and Chicago.

Kentucky's game with Duke is expected to be a big one. Not only just because of the rivalry, but also it will be Mark Pope's first big test as head coach of the Wildcats. Pope has brought in a great mix of experience and talent, which will be tested by Duke's incoming freshmen, headlined by Cooper Flagg, who is a very impressive talent. The Blue Devil's will feature Flagg along with Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, Patrick Ngongba ll, and Darren Harris. All of these incoming freshmen are in the top 40 of 247 Sports' rankings .

The Wildcats have a challenge early on in the season, but with the level experience on the roster along with the talent, they'll certainly be ready for the big matchup.