No. 1 Kansas survived another big early season test and outlasted Michigan State 77-69 in Atlanta in the first of a Champions Classic doubleheader. The 3-0 Jayhawks never quite pulled away in convincing fashion but nonetheless controlled the game throughout before building a comfortable margin and burying the Spartans late.

The Kansas Jayhawks survived a second half onslaught by North Carolina on Friday, and now they get to face an entirely different challenge in one of the biggest early season stages: The Champions Classic. Tonight's opponent is the only team in the event that has avoided a losing record against Kansas, the Michigan State Spartans.