Duke vs. Kentucky: Who wins position battles in 2018 Champions Classic?

Reserves: Kentucky’s Immanuel Quickley, Tyler Herro, E.J. Montgomery and Ashton Hagans vs. Duke’s Javin DeLaurier, Joey Baker and Alex O’Connell

The bench is where the Blue Devils will find themselves grasping at straws if things get tight. They do have 6-foot-7 forward Joey Baker, a perimeter threat with the ability to fill it up. Baker reclassified into the 2018 class, giving Duke an extra player on the wing. Outside of Baker though, there’s not much returning from a production standpoint.

Javin DeLaurier and Alex O’Connell will be two players Coach K will look to play key reserve roles given their star power in the starting rotation. DeLaurier produced 3.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 2017-18. O’Connell put up 3.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest last season as a freshman.

Kentucky guards Immanuel Quickley, Tyler Herro, Ashton Hagans and big man E.J. Montgomery. Quickley, much like his name, likes to play fast but has a high IQ on both ends of the floor as a combo guard. Herro is automatic from behind the arc and is the Wildcats best 3-point shooter. He could steal the show for Kentucky if things don’t go right with the starters.

Montgomery is another paint presence that has the ability to take over. He could provide a 1-2 punch alongside Travis in the post if they decide to go big. Hagans is another player that reclassified in the 2018 recruiting class, giving the Wildcats another guard in the backcourt to rely on.

Both units will need to show they can defend and build team chemistry right away. Calipari won’t hesitate to stretch his rotation and use his depth. This is probably one of the deeper teams he’s had from a rotational standpoint despite their youth.

Edge: Kentucky