Hunter Dickinson scored 28 points and Bill Self became the winningest coach in Kansas history as the No. 1 Jayhawks pulled away from Michigan State for a 77-69 victory in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.
Howard Kansas Basketball Kansas head coach Bill Self, left, speaks with his players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Howard, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
AP Photo/Colin E. Braley
Bill Self Kansas head coach Bill Self reacts on the sidieline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Kansas Michigan St Basketball Michigan State forward Coen Carr (55) has his shot blocked by Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Kansas Michigan St Basketball Michigan State center Szymon Zapala (10) battles Kansas' Zach Clemence (41) and Flory Bidunga (40) for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Kansas Michigan St Basketball Kansas guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) shoots as Michigan State forward Xavier Booker (34) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Kansas Michigan St Basketball Michigan State forward Xavier Booker (34) collides with Kansas forward KJ Adams Jr. (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Kansas Michigan St Basketball Kansas guard David Coit (8) tries to go between Michigan State's Jaden Akins (3) and Carson Cooper (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Kansas Michigan St Basketball Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) and Kansas guard Rakease Passmore (4) chase down a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Kansas Michigan St Basketball Kansas center Hunter Dickinson (1) and Michigan State center Szymon Zapala (10) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Kansas Michigan St Basketball Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo watches from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Kansas Michigan St Basketball Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) grabs a rebond in front of Kansas center Hunter Dickinson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Kansas Michigan St Basketball Kansas head coach Bill Self reacts on the sidieline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
ATLANTA (AP) — Hunter Dickinson scored 28 points and Bill Self became the winningest coach in Kansas history as the top-ranked Jayhawks pulled away from Michigan State for a 77-69 victory in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night.
Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 52 with just under nine minutes remaining. KJ Adams Jr. hit a pair of free throws to put Kansas (3-0) ahead to stay.
Self improved to 591-143 in his 22nd season coaching the Jayhawks, pushing him past Phog Allen’s mark of 590-219 in 39 seasons on the Kansas sideline.
Frankie Fidler led Michigan State (2-1) with 15 points.
The Jayhawks posted their second straight win over one of the nation’s prominent programs, following up a 92-89 win over No. 10 North Carolina.
Takeaways
Kansas: After missing 15 straight shots from the field, Kansas ripped off a 14-2 run that turned an 18-16 deficit into a 30-20 lead.
Michigan State: The Spartans couldn’t overcome a tough shooting night, especially from beyond the arc. They made just 3 of 24 from 3-point range.
Key moment
Dajuan Harris Jr. gave the Jayhawks some breathing room when he laid one in off a fast break, drew a foul and completed the three-point play for a 68-59 lead with 4:25 to go. After tumbling to the court, Harris remained on his back for a few seconds, clapping furiously. He finished with 11 points and six assists.
Key stats
The 7-foot-2 Dickinson made 13 of 21 shots from the field, including his only 3-point attempt, and grabbed 12 rebounds. He also had three steals and a block at the defensive end.
Up next
Kansas returns home Saturday to face Oakland. Michigan State hosts Bowling Green on Saturday.
