NEW YORK -- The 2021-22 college basketball season got underway Tuesday, with the Champions Classic from Madison Square Garden not only ending a monthslong drought for college hoops fans but also offering significant evaluation opportunities for the scouts and NBA decision-makers in attendance. The Duke Blue Devils, Kentucky Wildcats, Kansas Jayhawks and Michigan State Spartans collectively featured a large group of players with the ability to play at the next level.
The marquee matchup between Duke and Kentucky gave evaluators a chance to see widely acknowledged potential lottery picks including Paolo Banchero (Duke) and TyTy Washington Jr.