***DUKE VS KENTUCKY CHAMPIONS CLASSIC OFFICIAL GAMEDAY THREAD***

[youngman42]

Intellectually, I favor Kentucky b/c of the # of 5 star veterans (to go along with their freshman class) - including Reid Travis (had not read about his transfer to UK til recently, #smh).

But, since I think it's impossible to call as the first game my pick is the score that forever crushes UK fans:

Duke 104
Kentucky 103

 

[jwill133]

2011: Duke74 MSU 69
2012: Duke 75 UK 68
2013: Kansas 94 Duke 83
2014: Duke 81 MSU 71
2015: UK 74 Duke 63
2016: Kansas 77 Duke 75
2017: Duke 88 MSU 81

We are 3-0 against MSU, 1-1 UK, 0-2 Kansas.
We have never scored 90 in this event, maybe that changes tonight.

 

[ThemDukeBoys]

Man I’m walking around downtown and there are Kentucky folks everywhere. A bunch of Duke fans. A few Kansas fans and I haven’t seen a single michigan state fan.

 

[eastspartan]

Wish I had a good feeling about tonight...

UK 81
Duke 70

Hope I’m wrong

 

[jwill133]

Man I’m walking around downtown and there are Kentucky folks everywhere. A bunch of Duke fans. A few Kansas fans and I haven’t seen a single michigan state fan.

I noticed the exact same thing! But I expected it, UK fans are the worst, it's gonna sound like a home game for them tonight.

 

[jrtplaya]

Let's goooooo Duke!!!!

 

[Lavar5150]

Man I’m walking around downtown and there are Kentucky folks everywhere. A bunch of Duke fans. A few Kansas fans and I haven’t seen a single michigan state fan.

Is there a recommended bar near arena- preferably Duke fans in the majority?

 

[jchammock]

UK 73
Duke 70

 

[dukehokie]

I put it down on the podcast.

Duke - 86
UK - 80

We can’t afford turnovers and we can’t let them run out. If it becomes a track meet, their bench wins the game for them.

Our advantages: K on the sideline, and the never say die RJ/Zion combo on the court. If you get a chance, watch what RJ did in the U19 World Cup against a heavily favored, more talented US squad. And now Zion has learned how to actually handle the ball on the drive! Yeesh. Let’s Go Duke!

 

[2 skerz 3]

84-69 DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jakarii]

UK-87
Duke-80

Under the rim super experienced Reid Travis being the difference as far as one player and depth being the difference as far as team. Zion drops 20 plus but scores in spurts due to fatigue. RJ 20 plus but not very efficient

 

[DukefanKY]

I put it down on the podcast.

Duke - 86
UK - 80

We can’t afford turnovers and we can’t let them run out. If it becomes a track meet, their bench wins the game for them.

Our advantages: K on the sideline, and the never say die RJ/Zion combo on the court. If you get a chance, watch what RJ did in the U19 World Cup against a heavily favored, more talented US squad. And now Zion has learned how to actually handle the ball on the drive! Yeesh. Let’s Go Duke!

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Man, if that guy decides he is going to the basket, he is GOING!!!

 

[PixelDevil]

82-50 duke, come at me bro

 

[PatrickYates]

Key = Foul Trouble. My greatest fear.

FT is sort of the overarching biggest weakness for Duke this year. Though, really, only Zion's foul trouble is key. We can more easily replace anyone else on the team. Cam can run the team fine in the absence of Tre, and RJ isn't bad as a primary ball handler in his own right. Cam and RJ can score, and Zion can get buckets as well, to say nothing of AOC's shooting.
.
But Zion's uniqueness will make this team go.
.
Tonight, our biggest concern is TOs (and dumb shots that miss badly, which will have the same effect as a TO). UK is built to run, and our transition D is likely to be our biggest weakness all year long. If we don't give them tons of run out opportunities, they'll have to beat us in the half court, and they won't like trying to do that.

 

[Skeelow22]

Duke 87
Kentucky 75

 

[BlueDaveil]

I’m surprised to be hearing so little about Cam in reading about this event. Obviously the spotlight so far has been on RJ and Zion but Cam is just as capable of dropping 30 as those guys and I think could be the key to this game. If Kentucky is somehow able to figure out a way to pack the paint enough to neutralize some of Zion and RJ’s effectiveness we will need Cam to take over and make shots.

Conversely, I am more worried about Herro than probably anyone else on the opposing team. Travis and their other bigs will get their points inside but i don’t think it will be enough to beat us unless Kentucky is hitting 3’s. Herro has shown he can hit and create shots as well as anyone on their team.

 

[SoCal_Dukie3]

Duke 77
UK 74

Bring the pain.

 

[QC Dukie]

Hope Travis wears his big boy panties tonight.

 

[skysdad]

Thanks ol' buddy (and I do mean OLD - Sorry I couldn't help myself )! Praying surgery goes well today, hope you're on the mend quickly and of course, GO DUKE!!!!!!!

I getting ready to update on my prayers needed thread. OFC

 

[JohnstonCDevil]

Just win!!!!!
OFC

 

[Canadian Dukie]

I getting ready to update on my prayers needed thread. OFC

Good luck tomorrow Sky.a Duke win tonight hopefully can help some with your pre op jitters

 

[Quavarius]

Go Duke! Beat Kensucky!

 

[Laettshow]

Go Duke.
No score prediction, just win baby!
Been wearing my Duke stuff all day here in Kentucky. Love getting those dirty looks

 

[DukeDenver]

No turnovers, rebound the ball, 100% effort on D. The talent will do the rest. Let's have some fun tonight.

 

[Quavarius]

 

[DukeDenver]

I kind of feel like DeLaurier's defense and hustle is going to win us this game.

 

[Showenuff]

I kinda feel nauseous.

 

[Mpm277]

Please, Jav, don't poke anyone in the eye tonight.

Also, sorry if this is a dumb question, but why don't we have Zion jump for the opening tip?

 

[Mpm277]

Hate that this game won't even start till like 10. Ugh.

 

[Showenuff]

yea, start time sucks, we played Hold'em til 3 am , was at work at 730 , now I'll be up till 4 jacked or mad from this game, LOL.

 

[dukehokie]

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The beauty of this is that there were a few Kitties on that USA squad. PJ Washigton, Quickley and Cal was there as coach. Hamidou Diallo was on that team too. Call Barrett the cat killer.

 

[IPSYCHOSIS]

Why ain’t we running the pick and roll?

 

[Laettner15]

Retro Blue jerseys tonight! This is just another thing to get me absolutely pumped!

 

[Mpm277]

Why ain’t we running the pick and roll?

Like.. You... You know we aren't playing yet, right?

 

[DukefanKY]

I kinda feel nauseous.

Tequila helps that!!!

 

[DukefanKY]

I will talk to you fella's tomorrow....or at half time, we'll see....

LETS GO DUKE!!!!!!!!

 

[LTDukeFan]

I think UK gets shellshocked. The only X factor is Reid Travis...who I like...just a little less now that he's at UK.

Duke 87
UK 73

 

[500HP_Devil]

I’m nervous.

 

[ThemDukeBoys]

Just got here gents. Seats are awesome and there are entirely too many Kentucky fans

 

[TheDude1]

Tequila helps that!!!

Funny, I find the opposite to be true