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Michigan State beat No. 2 Duke 79-73 on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic in Chicago, with point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. scoring 18 points, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing 11 assists. ESPN reported that the senior guard responded to a challenge from coach Tom Izzo, who had said Fears's early-season play was inconsistent. Duke never led, trailing by as many as 14 in the second half, and Michigan State's first win over Duke in five Champions Classic meetings came after Duke's 7-for-29 three-point shooting. Sophomore Jordan Scott added nine rebounds, six blocks and two steals, and ESPN noted that Duke held to 25 first-half points on 26% shooting. Duke coach Jon Scheyer said his team was not connected and that he was responsible for the performance, which ESPN called Duke's worst since the 2024-25 season. Duke faces three more top-five opponents over the next three weeks, starting with Illinois on Nov. 17. ESPN also reported that Scheyer is rebuilding without Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer, relying on a recruiting class and transfer John Blackwell from Wisconsin.