NCAA Basketball: 5 biggest takeaways from 2019 Champions Classic

1) Duke’s defense is elite

Coming into the game, much of the focus on this Duke team centered on how good the freshmen will be – they’re not Zion Williamson/RJ Barrett good, but they’re good – and if they had improved their three-point shooting in the offseason.

They didn’t (33.3 percent from deep in the win), but that isn’t the biggest storyline surrounding the Blue Devils. It’s now the play of their defense and their potential on that end of the floor.

Tre Jones was one of the best defensive point guards in the country last year, and Duke added a lot of lengthy, athletic wings. The result is a versatile lineup that can switch almost everything on the perimeter, as Mike Krzyzewski told reporters after the game.

"“The difference maker was Tre. Lot of young guys, lot of new guys. We really tried to play good defense in our first 30 practices. We played really good defense (tonight). It starts with that kid. Really happy with my team. Terrific win for us.”"

They employed that by using a very aggressive style that worked to the tune of 28 turnovers. Those turnovers helped spark Duke’s offense in the second half by giving them opportunities to score in transition, which is where those superior athletes can thrive.

Cassius Stanley said after the game they’re embracing that defensive identity and that aggressiveness is something they plan on bringing every game.

"“I think we found our identity. Hard-nosed, rough, tough. We might be ugly, but we’re gonna get the W. We’re going to be very, very, very aggressive.”"

Duke is still young and learning how to play together as they break four freshmen into the rotation, so they’re only going to get better on that end of the floor. And, given their physical abilities, that’s a scary thought for opponents.