EAST LANSING -- Marcus Bingham started his Michigan State career by scoring 12 points in nine minutes in the Spartans' exhibition win over Northern Michigan.

And now, it appears that won't be the last that Spartans fans will see of Bingham this season.

Spartans coach Tom Izzo said on Monday he's "99 percent sure" that Bingham will play this year and not redshirt and sit out his freshman season.

Izzo first broached the idea last week of having Bingham sit his freshman year in order primarily to focus on gaining weight and getting his 6-foot-10, 210-pound body more ready for college basketball.

On the eve of the Spartans' season-opener against No. 1 Kansas, Izzo said his concerns about Bingham's readiness on the defensive end remain. But he left the decision up to Bingham, who preferred to play rather than sit.

"For me to redshirt a kid, he's got to want to do it, and I'm not sure he's there yet," Izzo said.

Bingham, for his part, said after the Northern Michigan game on Tuesday that he hadn't made a final decision but that he wanted to play this season.

Izzo did, though, leave open the possibility to reverse course. If Bingham doesn't play against Kansas and remains eligible for a redshirt, Izzo said it's possible the situation could change. Once Bingham plays in a game, he's ineligible to take a redshirt this season.

Champions Classic reupped

Michigan State can get comfortable starting the season with one of the preeminent events in college basketball.

ESPN announced on Monday morning that the Champions Classic has been renewed for three more years from its current contract, through 2022. With that, it also announced future sites and matchups for the event.

The 2019 event will be in New York and feature Michigan State vs. Kentucky. The 2020 event will take place in Chicago and feature Michigan State vs. Duke. The 2021 event will return to New York and feature Michigan State vs. Kansas, and the 2022 event will be in Indianapolis with Michigan State playing Kentucky.

"There can't be a better way to start off for anybody, much less Michigan State," Izzo said. "It is our eighth year and I'm pleased to hear they just announced that there is an extension."

The Champions Classic was first played in 2011 and has featured 13 top 25 matchups and eight top 10 matchups. This year's event will feature No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 10 Michigan State and No. 4 Duke vs. No. 2 Kentucky.

Naismith watch list

A day before the season starts, Spartans point guard Cassius Winston has received one more preseason honor.

Winston was named one of 50 members of the Naismith Trophy watch list on Tuesday, putting him on the radar for one of the sport's national player of the year honors.

The award list will be whittled to a midseason 30 list, then 10 semifinalists and four finalists. The winner will be announced during the Final Four in Minneapolis.

Winston was also named a preseason All-Big Ten selection and to the Bob Cousy award watch list as the top point guard in college basketball.