Duke Basketball: Top 5 non-conference opponents for the Blue Devils in 2018-19

Duke Basketball: Top 3 non-conference opponents for 2018-19

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Gary Trent Jr. #2, Grayson Allen #3 and Trevon Duval #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrate after defeating the Syracuse Orange in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

3. Nov. 6 vs. Kentucky (Champions Classic)

Surprisingly enough, the Kentucky Wildcats and Duke Blue Devils have only met 18 times in their team’s histories. On Nov. 6, it will be meeting No. 19 as both teams open their regular season in what should be a fun one. They haven’t met since the 2015-16 season. That was back when the Wildcats defeated the Blue Devils, 74-63 on Nov. 17, 2015. The victory snapped a three-game winning streak by Duke.

The Duke Blue Devils were led by Matt Jones, Amile Jefferson and Marshall Plumlee back then. This time around, they will be playing at a much quicker pace with Zion Williamson and Cam Reddish on the wing.

Both teams will have an opportunity to hit the ground running in their first game of the 2018-19 campaign. Kentucky will have their own slew of incoming freshmen to keep an eye on as well. Keldon Johnson and Zion Williamson will be one matchup to watch as will R.J. Barrett against E.J. Montgomery.

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