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Duke Basketball: 3 takeaways from Blue Devils’ win over Kentucky

By Brian Rauf

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils grabs a rebound against the kentucky Wildcats during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils grabs a rebound against the kentucky Wildcats during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 06: Mike Krzyewski the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils gives instructions to his team against the Kentucky Wildcats during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 06: Mike Krzyewski the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils gives instructions to his team against the Kentucky Wildcats during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1) Duke haters are in for a long year – this team is going to be FUN

Duke basketball might be the most hated team in the college or pro ranks of any sport, but based on what we saw Tuesday night, it’s impossible not to enjoy this group.

They play fast. They shoot (and make) a lot of threes. They dunk the ball. A lot. And they grab shots out of the air instead of blocking them.

The Blue Devils wound up shooting 54.4 percent from the field, made 12 three-pointers, and scored a boatload of points in transition.

But they’re not just an offensive juggernaut. Duke limited Kentucky to 44.1 percent shooting (including 23.5 percent from three-point range), won the rebounding battle and forced 15 turnovers.

Simply put, this is as dominating a performance from a college basketball team as we’ve seen in recent memory. This was also this group’s first real game together – they’re only going to get better as they become more familiar with each other.

Duke is supremely talented and is playing an up-tempo style that is not only fun to watch but also gets the most out of their stars. And that makes it even more fun to watch.

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