No. 2 Duke and No. 5 Michigan State will meet in the 2026 Champions Classic at the United Center in Chicago, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Both teams enter the early-season showcase undefeated at 2-0. Duke, led by freshman center Patrick Ngongba II (19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds per game), has blown out Army and Coastal Carolina. Michigan State, powered by preseason national player of the year contender Jeremy Fears Jr. (12.5 points, 10.0 assists per game), has rolled past Quinnipiac and Toledo.
Duke holds a 16-4 all-time series advantage and won last year's meeting 66-60. The Blue Devils are 7.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 147.5 points. The SportsLine projection model, which has posted an 11-1 record on top-rated over/under college basketball picks dating back to 2025, projects the teams to combine for 149 points and favors the over, hitting in 57% of simulations. The model also indicates one side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations.
Duke's frontcourt size and depth, complemented by playmakers Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr, contrast with Michigan State's tempo and toughness under coach Tom Izzo. The game will be streamed on Fubo.
