Duke Basketball: 3 takeaways from loss to Kentucky in 2024 Champions Classic

Everything's accounted for in the painted area, at least offensively

The Duke Blue Devils did lose the game but one thing they can hang their hat on is their work in the painted area led by freshman big man Khaman Maluach. Maluach went 5-of-5 from the field and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds (three offensive) and two blocks on the night.

Sion James showed off his ability to get paint touches and make things happen around the rim before he went down with an injury as well. The lack of his presence was apparent as the Blue Devils were in dire need of another attacker off the bounce alongside Cooper Flagg.

Caleb Foster was attacking, yes, but at 2-of-9 from the floor and 0-of-4 from behind the arc on the night, his shot was off as well.

While Flagg took 19 shots, Knueppel took 20 shots and made just five. Surely, finding more post-ups and touches for Maluach would open up a variety of options given the attention he'll draw. The Blue Devils have to find a way to get Maluach some more touches for easy points around the rim to take some pressure off Cooper Flagg going forward.