In the State Farm Champions Classic on Tuesday night in Atlanta Duke and Kentucky faced off in the second game of the evening. Kentucky would hold Duke to 26 second half points and leave with a win, 77-72.
Sports books first posted this game as Duke being 7.5 point favorites. Looking every bit of it in the first half. The Duke Blue Devils appeared to be back, exclaimed Jay Williams at halftime, and I believed him.
The score was 46 to 37 in Duke’s favor at halftime and they were doing it with their defense. Duke’s shooting was off the entire night and the feeling that it would get going and they would run away with this game was there.
Duke Kentucky Second Half
However the shooting did not heat up, and Kentucky slowly took advantage. Long rebounds and turnovers leading to fast break points for Kentucky is where they won late.
Duke finished the game shooting only 17.4% from behind the arc on 23 attempts. Kentucky showed up on defense when they needed it most, holding Duke to 26 second half points after they scored 46 on you in the first is impressive.
The decision and shot making with the last 8 minutes of the game showed Kentucky’s experience and Duke’s lack thereof.
Both of these teams will be ranked in the top 5 all season long in the AP Poll and both of these teams will make a deep run in March.
Tonight was an Elite 8 type matchup, in early November. A preview of the Madness to come.
Rowan Donaghey, Sports Reporter and Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on the X via @RowanDonaghey
Follow Stare Down Sports on the X for all of the latest news and updates @StareDownSports
The Red Beard CBB Power Rankings Top 10
Leave a Reply