Kansas looks every bit the team picked to win the Big 12 for the 19th time in the 26-year history of the conference.
It’s only one game, but the Jayhawks made a hell of a first impression in the State Farm Champions Classic.
Final Score – leading scorer
Ochai Agbaji led the way for Kansas to a 87-74 season-opening win over Michigan State, Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. Agbaji led all scorers with 29 points. Senior guard Remy Martin added 15 points, all coming in the second half.
Michigan State turned it over 16 times. The Jayhawks were sure to take advantage with 16 points off turnovers.
The Spartans had no answer for Agbaji. The senior guard also led Kansas in scoring last season with 14.0 points per game.
Martin, the Big 12 Preseason Player of the year as voted on by the coaches and players, didn’t attempt a shot in the first half. But Martin calmed everyone down after the break with a three-pointer at the 18:56 mark in the second half.
It was a scrappy effort by Michigan State, head coach Tom Izzo’s team put in a blue-collar effort to keep pace with the Jayhawks in the first half.
Turnovers ultimately did in the Spartans.
As for Kansas, ranked No. 3 in the country, they’re talented, experienced, and deep.
And on this night, they put the rest of the Big 12 on notice, they’re still the team to beat.
Image: Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
