KSR's Predictions for Kentucky vs. Duke in the Champions Classic

College basketball season is finally here. It’s time to turn the page from a historically bad 2020-21 to a historically experienced Kentucky basketball team in 2021-22. Will John Calipari’s transfers be able to overpower Mike Krzyzewski’s squad in the season opener of his final season? The KSR staff predicts Kentucky vs. Duke in the Champions Classic.

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Nick Roush

The BBN is feeling deja vu all over again. Can you blame them? The last time we saw Kentucky vs. Duke in the Champions Classic, Mark Stoops’ football team had just suffered a monumental loss to Georgia, a precursor to what Zion and Co. would do to the Cats. We’ve been here before and we don’t want to get hurt again.

Even so, I believe Kentucky’s experience in the backcourt should have the upper hand over Duke’s talented frontcourt in what should be a sloppy season-opener. The Wildcats’ ability to drain the deep ball will make this a fun game. But there’s one problem. Duke is going to get every single whistle.

Is it lame to prematurely blame refs for a loss? Not in the sport of college basketball. If you thought the Bears got hosed last night by Tony Corrente, wait until you watch the stripes hop, skip and jump down the court tonight to call a charge on Kentucky. The sport is infuriating and tonight will be no exception. I’m hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

Prediction: Duke 79, Kentucky 73

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Zack Geoghegan

As Nick alluded to, I don’t anticipate a good-looking game of basketball, but I do expect it to be entertaining.

Kentucky will enter with the depth and talent to beat a younger Duke squad, which I believe will show itself more in the second half. Preventing Paolo Banchero from finding easy buckets (and keeping Oscar Tshiebwe out of foul trouble) will be the key early on. The ‘Cats have the advantage in the backcourt and even on the wing, but the Duke frontcourt is tall and imposing.

Don’t be surprised if the Blue Devils jump out to a good start. Starting point guard Jeremy Roach will look to make an impact from the opening tip and his running mate Trevor Keels is a solid all-around freshman. Kentucky’s veterans might need some time to feel out what Duke is throwing at them before turning it against the Blue Devils. However, that’s the value of having veterans–they will eventually figure it out.

And I do expect that to happen. Sahvir Wheeler will do what is needed on defense, TyTy Washington will shine under the bright lights of MSG, and Davion Mintz will be the unsung hero. Kentucky starts the season 1-0 and rains down on Coach K’s farewell parade.

Prediction: Kentucky 81, Duke 72

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Adam Luckett

November has arrived and that means College Football Playoff rankings and the Champions Classic. Kentucky and Duke will meet in the nightcap just like it was meant to be.

The Wildcats have the better backcourt in this matchup and that goes a long way in college basketball. However, Kentucky has legitimate defensive issues entering the season, and keeping Oscar Tshiebwe out of foul trouble could be an issue if there’s a tight whistle. That’s trouble against Duke and diaper dandy big man Paolo Banchero.

Expect an ugly game filled with turnovers and foul shots. The Wildcats put together some big runs with their explosive backcourt, but the interior presence of Banchero and Mark Williams is too much for Kentucky to handle.

Duke owns the paint, wins the rebounding battle by a comfortable margin, and hands Kentucky a loss to begin the season.

Prediction: Duke 69, Kentucky 63

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Tyler Thompson

I’ll be honest: I have no idea what to expect tonight. Kentucky’s exhibition wins, specifically the 9-point victory over Miles College, certainly did not inspire confidence. Was that because the Cats were playing down to their competition or because they’re still figuring a lot of stuff out? I tend to go with the latter, which is why tonight makes me nervous.

Duke’s also got a lot of stuff to figure out, but they have an elite freshman big man in Paolo Banchero. Kentucky’s primary big man, Oscar Tshiebwe, tends to get in foul trouble. Not a great combination. For the Cats to get the victory, they must find an answer for Banchero inside while punishing the Blue Devils from outside.

Between Kellan Grady, Davion Mintz, TyTy Washington, and Dontaie Allen, Kentucky has the firepower to win this game. How those players respond to the stage and bright lights of Madison Square Garden is another question. We’ve seen Kentucky freshmen seize the spotlight in this event before. If tonight goes how I hope it will, it’s because TyTy Washington has a breakout performance. If it doesn’t, well, this is just Game 1 of a long campaign.

I’m very high on this team’s potential, but this early on, I just can’t predict a win.

Prediction: Duke 80, Kentucky 74

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Drew Franklin

Between us friends, I’m a little worried about tonight’s game. A lot worried, actually.

Duke will have the best player on the floor in potential No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero at power forward. Beside him, seven-footer Mark Williams will be a problem on the glass and around the rim on both ends. Marquette transfer Theo John brings muscle off the bench to help inside too.

It’s that frontcourt play that has me concerned, especially with Oscar Tshiebwe’s incoming foul trouble and the lack of depth behind him. Kentucky has the better guards, in my opinion, but Duke’s edge in the interior is better than Kentucky’s around the perimeter. Keion Brooks has to play well and Big Oscar has to stay in the game for the Wildcats to compete.

I’d love to be wrong here but I think it’s Duke’s night in Madison Square Garden. Please call me an idiot when Kentucky wins.

Duke 81, Kentucky 73

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Jack Pilgrim

This will be a matchup of Kentucky’s backcourt vs. Duke’s frontcourt. Led by Sahvir Wheeler, TyTy Washington and Kellan Grady, the Wildcats have a strong combination of playmaking, shot creation and scoring on the perimeter. The Blue Devils are tough on defense, but lack on offense. It’s a matchup that favors Kentucky.

The frontcourt is a different story. Paolo Banchero will be the best freshman in college basketball this season and will likely contend for National Player of the Year. He’s the perfect combination of size, athleticism and strength, something Kentucky simply doesn’t have on its roster. A long, athletic shot-blocker who is known as one of the best defenders in the country, Mark Williams will also be a force at center. It will be the ultimate measuring stick of what Kentucky has down low.

Kentucky will not take Banchero out of the game, but they will have to find a way to neutralize him. Do that, and the other pieces will fall into place. Don’t, and it will be an ugly night for the Wildcats.

College basketball is a game that favors elite guard play, and I believe TyTy Washington will prove to fit that criterion under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. Kentucky slows down the Duke frontcourt just enough to let that happen, with the Wildcats hitting a few big shots down the stretch to head back to Lexington with a victory.

Kentucky 74, Duke 71