Kansas vs. Michigan State: Champions Classic 2015 Time, TV Schedule, Prediction

The Champions Classic produces yet another enticing showdown between two of the nation's most storied programs late Tuesday night, pitting the Kansas Jayhawks against the Michigan State Spartans.

After Kentucky and Duke open things up at the United Center in Chicago with their own long-anticipated battle, folks won't have to wait long for another as the Spartans and Jayhawks take to the hardwood immediately after.

Here's a closer look into the matchup.

Kansas vs. Michigan State Info

Date: Tuesday, November 17

Time: 10 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Preview and Prediction

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Michigan State's campus is likely buzzing this week due in large part to the football team's upcoming showdown with unbeaten Ohio State. But it's a basketball school, first and foremost.

Don't expect the implications of this early-season battle to be lost among those students and fans crazed about the upcoming football game. Head coach Tom Izzo's squad will test their mettle early in the campaign against a team of similar caliber.

After struggling throughout most of last season, Izzo's team looks poised for another Final Four run in 2015-16 as the nation's No. 13 team coming into Chicago. But they'll face a team that's right up there with them, as the Jayhawks are ranked fourth in the nation and pose serious problems for Izzo, as he told the Detroit News' Matt Charboneau:

"

We’ve had some incredible battles with them over the years. But Kansas does possess one of the best inside games that I think we’ll face all year.

They’ve got depth in there. They’ve got five or six guys. They’ve got experience in there with four out of the five guys, and the one that’s not, (Carlton) Bragg, is a heck of a player. That’s going to be a big challenge for us.

"

Izzo is certainly right about that—the Jayhawks' biggest strengths hail in the frontcourt. Senior forward Perry Ellis figures to be the team's offensive leader and put up 16 points in his season opener, while freshman Carlton Bragg Jr. is bound for an early breakout.

As long as head coach Bill Self's squad can play unselfishly as they did in their season-opening win over Northern Colorado, they should be all right Tuesday, as he told the team's Twitter account:

While the Spartans may have a disadvantage down low, they should be able to match up everywhere else with star-caliber guard play and game-changing talent at every level.

But there's no denying Michigan State is struggling at the charity stripe, where this game could be won or lost late. After shooting just 62 percent as a team last season, they went 17-for-28 from the line in their season opener.

Expect free-throw woes to be the Spartans' demise in this early-season showdown as both teams are still trying to find their footing.

Prediction: Kansas 71, Michigan State 67