Duke Basketball: 3 keys to beat Kentucky in 2021-22 Champions Classic

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 15: A general view during the National Anthem prior to the game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Kentucky Wildcats during the State Farm Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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Duke Basketball Paolo Banchero Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Duke basketball will square off against the Kentucky Wildcats for the 23rd time in program history to kick off the college basketball season. For the final time with head coach Mike Krzyzewski on the sidelines in the State Farm Champions Classic, in a Top-10 showdown, No. 9 Duke squares off against No. 10 Kentucky.

The Blue Devils have won eight of the last 10 meetings, though the Wildcats hold the overall lead in the standings at 12-10. The two teams last meet in the 2018 edition of the Champions Classic where Duke made easy work of Kentucky, 118-84 led by a trio of R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, and Cam Reddish.

Duke basketball may not have the same trio that they had in 2018 but Paolo Banchero is already turning heads early as ACC basketball’s early favorite to win both Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards.

Alongside him in the frontcourt, he’ll have Mark Williams and Wendell Moore Jr., a trio that should pose quite the presence in the paint this season. Williams posted five blocked shots and Banchero went for 21 points and nine rebounds in their exhibition victory over Winston Salem State on Oct. 30.

The college basketball season kicks off on Tuesday with a big slate of games in the State Farm Champions Classic. Take a look at the three keys to victory for Duke basketball as they square off against Kentucky.

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