The 2023 Champions Classic at the United Center in Chicago had all the pageantry of a major moment for men's college basketball. Magic Johnson smiled when the cameras showed him on the Jumbotron during Duke's 74-65 win over Michigan State. Rich Paul, the mega agent for LeBron James and other NBA all-stars, sat courtside. There were numerous NBA scouts and executives in the building, including Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri.
The first half of Duke-MSU, however, featured sluggish basketball with both teams tied, 9-9, with 11:45 to play. The action picked up in the second half, when the Spartans stormed back and the energy rose.