NBA execs, scouts fill Bankers Life Fieldhouse for Champions Classic

Kansas guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (10) drives to the bucket between Kentucky forward Alex Poythress (22) and center Dakari Johnson (44) during the second half of the Champions Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis ? More than 60 NBA execs and scouts attended the Champions Classic to see some highly regarded players who played in victories by Duke over Michigan State and Kentucky over Kansas University.

• Box score

— Selden’s aggressiveness puts him atop ratings

Duke’s Jahlil Okafor is the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft according to draftexpress.com, followed by UK’s Karl-Anthony Towns at No. 3 and KU’s Oubre and Alexander at 4 and 5.

Duke’s Justise Winslow is listed No. 8, UK’s Willie Cauley-Stein No. 10, Duke’s Tyus Jones No. 14, UK’s Dakari Johnson No. 19, KU’s Selden No. 25, UK’s Andrew Harrison No. 26; UK’s Aaron Harrison No. 28.

“You stop and think about the freshmen playing — Okafor is projected to be the No. 1 draft pick playing for Duke,” KU coach Bill Self said. “Kentucky has several guys that can probably go top 10, 15, which is a pretty remarkable thing. We’ve got a couple guys certainly being highly thought of.”

KU vs. 76ers?

Speaking of the NBA, WhatIfSports simulated match-ups between several college teams (including KU) and the worst team in the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers. Each matchup, as reported by Zagsblog.com, was simulated 1,001 times on a neutral court.

The results? The average score was Philly 87.5, KU 71.3. Chances of KU winning were 5.7 percent on a given night.

Other simulated scores: Sixers 87.2, Kentucky 72.9; Sixers 86.5, Duke 72.5; Sixers 75.6, Michigan State 63.2.

Black has length

Why is the Houston Rockets’ Tarik Black making it as a free agent in the NBA? Thedreamshake.com reports that in a workout before the 2014 NBA Draft, Black measured 6-7 1/2 without shoes with an impressive 7-2 1/2 wingspan and 8-11 standing reach. Through the first eight games, he averaged 2.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 13.3 minutes per contest.

Dominant programs

KU and Kentucky have combined for 30 Final Fours: UK 16 and KU 14. … KU (57) and Kentucky (51) rank 1-2 in conference men’s titles. … Kentucky entered the evening with most wins in NCAA history (2,142); KU was right behind at 2,127, with North Carolina third at 2,116.