LIVE BLOG: Kentucky vs. Duke
One of the most anticipated regular-season games in recent memory is finally here. KSR’s new and improved LIVE BLOG will bring you all the sights and sounds from State Farm Arena in Atlanta as No. 19 Kentucky takes on No. 6 Duke in the Champions Classic (9 p.m. ET, ESPN).
After back-to-back blowouts, this is the first real test of the Mark Pope era. Kentucky is a 6.5-point underdog to the Blue Devils, who boast three projected top-ten draft picks, including Cooper Flagg, the most hyped freshman since Zion Williamson. In Jon Scheyer’s third season, the Blue Devils are a talented albeit young squad that relies heavily on three-point shots. So does Kentucky, but for once, the Cats are the veteran team, one of the oldest in college basketball. Can they pull off the upset and redirect the conversation from Flagg and Duke to what’s happening in Lexington under Mark Pope?
We’ve got the game covered from every angle. Refresh the feed below for updates and our takes on the game, from Atlanta, KSBar and Grille, and the couch. You can also join the conversation on the KSBoard Game Thread or by texting your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
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FINAL: Kentucky 77, Duke 72!!!!!
11/12/2024 10:34:37 PMThat just happened. I need a minute.
Lamont Butler to the free throw line
11/12/2024 10:29:42 PMLamont Butler can seal this giant victory for the Cats. He’s now at the free-throw line with 5.1 seconds to go Kentucky 74, Duke 72, 5.1 seconds to go.
COOPER FLAGG TURNS IT OVER
11/12/2024 10:26:54 PMCooper Flagg turned the ball over. After an official’s review, it stands. Kentucky ball up two with 5.1 seconds to go.
Otega Oweh puts Kentucky up by two with 10.3 left!
11/12/2024 10:25:53 PMThe stage was primed for Cooper Flagg to win it for Duke but Otega Oweh said not so fast, stealing the ball, driving to the basket, and drawing the foul. He hit both free throws. Kentucky leads 74-72 with 10.3 to go.
Score Update: 26.5 seconds 2H – Duke 72, Kentucky 72
11/12/2024 10:23:06 PMWith the score tied at 72, Duke Scheyer just called Duke’s last timeout. The Cats have two timeouts remaining. STRESS.
Lamont Butler cramping, Kerr Kriisa in
11/12/2024 10:21:18 PMLamont Butler has exited the game with cramps. Cooper Flagg just tied the game up at 72. One minute to go…
Mark Pope challenges a call and wins
11/12/2024 10:19:10 PMOfficials initially called the ball out on Kentucky but after Mark Pope asked for a review, the reversed it. Kentucky ball with 1:37 to go up 2.
ANDREW CARR SEES YOUR AND-ONE AND RAISES IT
11/12/2024 10:16:15 PMCooper Flagg took the lead back with an and-one, but Andrew Carr has responded with one of his own. After the free throw, Kentucky leads 72-70 with 1:48 left.
HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS
KENTUCKY LEADS!
11/12/2024 10:12:53 PMOtega Oweh just gave Kentucky the lead, 69-67 with 2:40 to go!
TIE BALL GAME
11/12/2024 10:11:28 PMAndrew Carr ties it at 67 with 3:57 to go and KSBar is buzzing!
Score Update: 3:57 2H – Duke 67, Kentucky 66
11/12/2024 10:07:09 PMAND-ONE ANDREW CARR TO MAKE IT A ONE-POINT GAME WITH A CHANCE TO TIE IT UP.
Man, what a response from the Cats. Kerr Kriisa is a big reason for that with a pretty massive shot to chip away at that lead and shift the momentum back in Kentucky’s favor.
This game is very, very weird (but awesome!)
11/12/2024 10:01:43 PMEvery time I look up at the jumbotron I’m expecting to see Kentucky down double digits. The Cats feel outmatched because Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel are awesome and they’re getting a no-show from Jaxson Robinson while others are really struggling to score.
And yet here we are, a nail-biter down the stretch at State Farm Arena. Kentucky just refuses to go away and the waves keep coming, even when Duke responds. No matter how this ends, you’ve got to love this team’s energy and resolve.
A lot to work on, but a lot to like this early in the season against a team who will clearly contend for a title.
BRANDON GARRISON TAKEOVER
11/12/2024 09:58:26 PMWatch out, here comes Brandon Garrison! He’s scored the last six points for the Cats, who only trail Duke by two, 63-61, with 6:31 to go. He’s up to eight points, four rebounds, and two assists in 14 minutes.
Score Update: 8:29 2H – Duke 61, Kentucky 57
11/12/2024 09:54:20 PMThe Cats are scrapping! Brandon Garrison just hit a bucket to pull Kentucky within four, 61-57, with 8:29 to go, which prompted Jon Scheyer to call a timeout. The Blue Devils are very cold, making only two of their last 12 field goal attempts. Khaman Maluach, who has been in and out with what appeared to be a knee injury, is now headed to the locker room with cramps.
Keep scraping, Cats!
Layups and Free Throws
11/12/2024 09:51:10 PMButler’s ‘and one’ was just the third made layup by Kentucky tonight on eight attempts. Meanwhile, Duke is 7-12 on layups. If you’re looking for more points left off the scoreboard, you’ll find Kentucky at 9-15 from the free throw line, including the front end of a couple of 1-and-1s. Amari Williams is getting opportunities near the rim, but is only 3-12 from the field.
Score Update: 11:18 2H – Duke 56, Kentucky 52
11/12/2024 09:46:49 PMKentucky isn’t going away! A Lamont Butler and-one just cut the lead to four, 56-52 with 11:18 to go. He’ll head to the free-throw line after this break. Thankfully, Duke can’t hit a shot right now, going 5-17 from the floor and 0-6 from three so far this half.
KEEP GOING, CATS!
Koby Brea heats up as Tyrese Proctor goes down
11/12/2024 09:43:58 PMKentucky needs offense and Koby Brea is trying to provide it. Brea just hit a three to cut Duke’s lead to 56-50 with 12:48 to go. Duke’s Tyrese Proctor just went out after hitting his shoulder on a screen by Amari Williams. Duke center Khaman Maluach is also out with a knee injury.
Talent vs. experience favors Duke early
11/12/2024 09:32:34 PMThe pregame conversation focused solely on Kentucky’s experience vs. Duke’s young talent, a flip from what we got used to seeing under John Calipari. Would the lights be too bright for the Blue Devils or would the talent disadvantage be too much for the Wildcats? Unfortunately for us early, it’s been the latter — with some specific individual letdowns.
Lamont Butler simply hasn’t looked like the guy who hit a game-winner in the Final Four, a cold-blooded killer not afraid of any moment. He’s been a serious issue for Kentucky early on both ends. Jaxson Robinson has been a no-show, as well, taking zero first-half shots minus the fouled three he earned — only to miss two of three free throws.
Amari Williams and Andrew Carr have stepped up, as has Otega Oweh, but I’ve got to see more from the two guys seen as Kentucky’s veteran leaders. They’ve been thoroughly outplayed up to this point.
Kentucky opens the half with a 5-0 run
11/12/2024 09:29:23 PMThere are the Wildcats! A three by Otega Oweh and a hookshot by Amari Williams have cut Duke’s lead to four, 46-42 with 17:48 to go. Lamont Butler did just pick up his third foul. Kerr Kriisa is checking in.
HALF: Duke 46, Kentucky 37
11/12/2024 09:07:01 PMDuke’s length and athleticism are just too much for Kentucky so far. The Blue Devils lead the Cats 46-37 at halftime. Kentucky definitely needs the break to regroup.
Check out the box score below. The bad shooting percentages stick out, but so do the seven turnovers by Kentucky, which led to 11 Duke points. On the flipside, the Cats have only forced one Duke turnover, and are losing the battle of the boards 21-20. Jaxson Robinson has yet to attempt a field goal in 13 minutes of play. After making their first five threes, the Cats went 2-14 from behind the arc to end the half and were scoreless over the last 3:27. Duke is also owning the paint, with a 28-5 advantage in the paint.
Breathe. Regroup. Find some offense.
Score Update: 1:48 1H – Duke 44, Kentucky 37
11/12/2024 09:03:03 PMKentucky is now trying to chip away at Duke’s lead from the free-throw line. Amari Williams just hit one of two free throws to cut the margin to seven, 44-27.
This three by Lamont Butler was good, though. More of that, please.
Score Update: 4:15 1H – Duke 36, Kentucky 29
11/12/2024 08:53:31 PMDuke continues to be the aggressor, leading by seven with 4:15 to go in the first half. Koby Brea hit a three to cut the lead to four, only for Tyrese Proctor to hit a step-back three on the other end to push it back to seven, which prompted Mark Pope to call a timeout. Butler, Carr, and Oweh are all playing with two fouls right now.
Kentucky is shooting only 37% from the floor, 43% from three. They need to find some offense to keep this from getting out of hand going into halftime.
Score Update: 7:32 1H – Duke 28, Kentucky 24
11/12/2024 08:44:47 PMDuke has taken the momentum with a 7-0 run. Three starters (Lamont Butler, Otega Oweh, and Andrew Carr) have two fouls each, with Oweh still on the floor, turning the ball over for an easy Cooper Flagg layup. After starting the game hot, the Cats have gone cold, scoreless over the last 2:23. They’ve made only one of their last seven three-point attempts.
Mark Pope was in the official’s ear throughout the media timeout.
Lamont Butler picks up his 2nd foul
11/12/2024 08:42:40 PMUh oh. Now Lamont Butler has two fouls, his most recent one being on a three-point attempt by Kon Knueppel. Knueppel just hit all three free throws to go up two, 26-24 with 8:19 to go in the first half.
Otega Oweh, Andrew Carr both have 2 fouls now
11/12/2024 08:40:21 PMBad news: both Otega Oweh and Andrew Carr have picked up two fouls and are on the bench. They’ve scored 10 of Kentucky’s 24 points. Not great.
Amari Williams and-one puts Kentucky up 3
11/12/2024 08:39:07 PMAmari Williams is not going to be pushed around. Kentucky’s starting center muscled his way into the lane and picked up a bucket while getting fouled. After a lane violation, he hit the free throw to put Kentucky up 24-21 with 9:55 to go.
Score Update: 11:24 1H – Kentucky 21, Duke 19
11/12/2024 08:30:28 PMThis game is moving at a WILD pace. At the Under-12 timeout, Kentucky leads Duke 21-19. Kentucky is 5-7 from three thus far to Duke’s 1-5 mark from behind the arc. The calls are not going in Kentucky’s favor thus far, with Kerr Kriisa picking a blocking foul much to the crowd’s chagrin. Based on the sound through TV, Kentucky Blue definitely got in.
KERR KRIISA HAS ENTERED THE CHAT
11/12/2024 08:24:25 PMAs we hoped, Kerr Kriisa is in the game and ready to mix things up. After hitting a massive three, Kerr further made his presence known, going toe-to-toe with Duke’s Sion James.
Score Update: 15:41 1H – Duke 11, Kentucky 9
11/12/2024 08:19:29 PMIt is fast and furious so far in Atlanta. Kentucky trails the Blue Devils by two, 11-9, at the first media timeout. Lamont Butler just picked up a foul on a steal by Caleb Foster. Tyrese Proctor leads all scorers with seven points so far. Brandon Garrison is in for Amari Williams.
The biggest play so far for Kentucky? This massive three by Andrew Carr. We need him tonight. Otega Oweh’s three felt really good too.
Pope goes with a pullover instead of a suit
11/12/2024 08:13:42 PMNo suit for Mark Pope tonight. Both he and Jon Scheyer are wearing pullovers. Mutual decision?
Kentucky’s starting lineup
11/12/2024 08:09:37 PMKentucky is sticking with the same starting lineup from the first two games:
01 Lamont Butler
00 Otega Oweh
02 Jaxson Robinson
07 Andrew Carr
22 Amari Williams
As Paul Biancardi notes, the Cats are much older than the Blue Devils. Let’s hope all that experience pays off.
Pregame vibes are high at KSBar
11/12/2024 08:00:48 PMThe scene at KSBar and Grille is electric at tipoff as the fans who couldn’t make the trip from Lexington to Atlanta gathered to watch with like-minded friends. Hopefully, the night ends with Ryan Lemond shirtless on top of the bar. We’ll share the video if he does. A CATS chant is breaking out as I write this.
Mark Pope on Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel
11/12/2024 08:00:33 PMAs we’ve come to expect, Mark Pope had a very thorough breakdown of the Blue Devils during his pregame conversation with Tom Leach.
“Cooper Flagg can really push it. They got a bunch of bigs that push it, not so much their fives, so that can create match-up issues from the get-go which could actually work in our favor as we switch back and work through some of their actions, but they’ll continue to push in transition, pushing trenches to be a big deal for us defensively. And then in halfcourt, they have a couple of guys, they keep things pretty simple, but they do what they do really, really well. They’re pretty meticulous with it.”
“No. 7 [Kon Knueppel] can really, really score. Man, he can really shoot it. He’s really physical. You think he can manage screens, and then he just kind of bodies you into screens that comes off really hard. He’s a super-talented player, and he’s been their leading scorer. Obviously, No. 2 [Cooper Flagg] is a tremendous player, a projected first-round in pick in the NBA Draft. And the thing that makes him special is his motor is so elite. And that’s, that’s a really special quality man. He’s long, can shoot it and drive it and is skilled, can be a playmaker and do all the things but his motor is elite. Offensively, defensively, on the offensive glass, him causing mismatches of the bunch of four or five ball screens, which is a little bit new for us that we have to pay attention to.”
Speaking of Tom Leach, here is his vantage point tonight:
Tipoff is set for approximately 9:10 PM ET
11/12/2024 07:46:41 PMThe countdown to tipoff clock is rolling in State Farm Arena. According to it, introductions should start around 9:05 PM ET, meaning tipoff will be around 9:10 PM.
FINAL: No. 1 Kansas 77, Michigan State 69
11/12/2024 07:38:57 PMThe first game is done and now, we wait for the main event, which should tip off in about 30 minutes following the College Football Playoff rankings reveal.
The Cats look ready:
Kansas takes control
11/12/2024 07:27:44 PMKansas is starting to pull away, leading Michigan State by nine, 68-59, with 3:28 to go.
Final Odds
11/12/2024 07:23:09 PMDuke opened as a 6.5-point favorite over Kentucky on FanDuel on Sunday. The line has moved to Duke -5.5, with the total set at 159.5 points. Kentucky’s team total was 77.5 points for the longest time and has actually gone down to 76.5. If you believe the Cats will win, over Kentucky team total and Kentucky moneyline is a fun bet that would have a good payout.
Kansas vs. Michigan State is slowing to a crawl
11/12/2024 07:11:37 PMRemember when we dreamt the first game would wrap up on time, or even ahead of schedule? Not so fast. Kansas leads Michigan State 57-52 with 7:17 to go. Both teams are in the bonus. There will be about a 30-minute break between games, during which ESPN will reveal the new College Football Playoff rankings.
Time for the Jayhawks to pull away and put this one to bed.
Kerr Kriisa does the John Wall dance before warmups
11/12/2024 07:02:32 PMESPN’s cameras caught the team dancing in the tunnel ahead of warm-ups, which included Kerr Kriisa doing the John Wall dance. I’ve seen all I need to see. Cats by 90.
We have a Pope(s) sighting at State Farm Arena
11/12/2024 06:54:55 PMGood evening, friends. There is 11:37 left in the Kansas vs. Michigan State game, with the Jayhawks leading by two. Kentucky and Duke fans are starting to trickle into State Farm Arena and the ESPN cameras have already spotted three fans dressed as the Pope.
This game seems to be moving right along. Will the Cats vs. the Blue Devils actually start on time? Fingers crossed…
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