The Kentucky Wildcats have finished the first week of the regular season 2-0. However, on Tuesday they will have their first big test of the season, traveling to Atlanta to take on the Duke Blue Devils in the Champion’s Classic.

Duke comes in with a roster reminiscent of past Kentucky teams, full of elite freshmen. Meanwhile, Kentucky comes in with the oldest team in program history. It will be a true battle between youth and experience.

The Wildcats are just 1-6 in their last seven Champions Classic games and just 1-5 against Duke over their last six meetings. Can the Wildcats change course? Let’s take a look at the matchup.

Rebounding Battle

Duke has the tallest team in the country, with an average height of 6’7.5”. That certainly helps them in their battle of the boards, where through two games they are averaging 45 rebounds and 14 offensive rebounds.

Meanwhile, Mark Pope has not been pleased with Kentucky’s effort on the boards to start the season. In their latest game against Bucknell, rebounding was a clear point of emphasis as the Cats grabbed 57 rebounds, including 22 offensive boards.

Kentucky doesn’t give up too much height, but they do give up some athleticism. With a lot of long rebounds from threes, all five Cats on the floor need to box out.

Turnover Battle

In addition to their height, Duke also has the length to be pests on defense. Combining for 18 steals on defense through two games, the Blue Devils are able to create offense.

After turning the ball over fifteen times against Bucknell, eight of which between Amari Williams and Andrew Carr, they’re are going to have to be aware of the pressure inside and keep the ball moving.

Conditioning

Mark Pope has talked about improving his team’s conditioning, wanting them to be in a shape reminiscent of Rick Pitino’s 90s teams, which Pope was a part of. They will be able to see where they stand physically, and potentially use it to their advantage.

Currently, Kentucky ranks 26th in adjusted tempo, while Duke ranks 181st. However, both team’s average possession lasts less than 15 seconds. This means a fast-paced game should be expected.

Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg has cramped in each of the Blue Devil’s first two games. If Kentucky can be successful in pushing the pace, it will give them a better chance at the win.

The Stage

This is Kentucky’s most experienced team in program history. However, on Tuesday, many of them will be playing on the biggest stage of their career.

We have seen Kentucky freshmen struggle in this event in the past. Now with a team of veterans, can they contribute when the lights shine the brightest?

Opposing Players to Watch

G/F Cooper Flagg 6-9, 205 lbs

• 15.5 PPG
• 9 RPG
• 4 APG
• 2.5 SPG

G/F Kon Knueppel 6-7, 217 lbs

• 18.5 PPG
• 3 RPG
• 50% 3P

G Tyrese Proctor 6-6, 183 lbs

• 12.0 PPG
• 5 RPG
• 1.5 APG
• 50% 3P

Kentucky Basketball vs. Duke Blue Devils

• Time: 9:00 PM ET on November 12th
  Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
  TV Channel: ESPN
  Announcers: Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Jess Sims
  Online Stream: ESPN+, and the ESPN app.
  Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
  Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
  Rosters: UK | DUKE
  Stats to Know: UK | DUKE
  KenPom: UK | DUKE
  Team Sheet: UK | DUKE

• Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook does not yet have the lines for this game, please check back later. For the first time this season, the Wildcats are an underdog: Bart Torvik (31%), EvanMiya (30.7%), ESPN (29.1%), and KenPom (26%).
• Predictions: The projections have Kentucky losing from 7 points to 4 points: KenPom (83-76), EvanMiya (84-77), Bart Torvik (81-76), and Haslametrics (82-78).

Be sure to send us your Kentucky-Duke score predictions down in the comments section!

Kentucky never has to worry about a big game being sell out, nor most regular season games. However, that is not the case for the school an hour down the road.

With a new and energetic head coach bringing an exciting style of play, one would think that Louisville Cardinal fans would be ready to support their program and attend a Top 25 game in their NBA style arena. Yet, you would be wrong.

With a matchup with 12th ranked Tennessee on Saturday, the Cardinals have thousands of tickets available for KFC Yum Center. Earlier this week head coach Pat Kelsey went around Louisville’s campus to encourage students to purchase tickets and attend the game.

UPS and Louisville boosters have purchased tickets in bulk this week to give away. Now just 24 hours away from tip and in order to have a respectable atmosphere, they have resorted to giving away FREE tickets, as long as you are a Planet Fitness member which costs $10/month.

Sound the “LUNK” alarm for Louisville’s ticket sales.

Love it or hate it, Kentucky and Arkansas will be compared to one another all season and that is because of the move of John Calipari this offseason. After fifteen seasons at Kentucky, it’s natural for people to want to follow how the now-former Kentucky coach fares in Fayetteville.

Following the Razorbacks season-opening win against Lipscomb, Calipari was asked a question about Baylor and Scott Drew, who they play this weekend.Rathern than asking about the matchup, a reporter asked if he had talked to Drew about the Kentucky job when he had a top candidate for the opening this offseason.

“He [Drew] never called me on it. We never talked,” Calipari responded. “I see what Mark Pope is doing, good for him. Good for him. And it’s a program that deserves that.”

Drew heavily considered taking the job, even sending his family for a visit of Lexington before ultimately declining. Calipari spoke as to why he believed Drew remained at Baylor.

“Scott has done unbelievable work at Baylor and probably got comfortable there and, ‘Why would I go into that hornet’s nest?’”

That “hornet’s nest” is Kentucky. To be fair to him, he is correct, as the Kentucky job is not for everyone. However, for the reasons it can be seen as a “hornet’s nest”, i.e. the pressure and expectations, it is also the reasons it is the greatest job in college basketball. Mark Pope, who is at the helm now, understands that as well as anyone in the country.