The #23 ranked Kentucky Wildcats (2-0) are set to take on the Duke Blue Devils (2-0) on Tuesday night in the State Farm Champions Classic. The Blue Devils are coming off a home win over the Army Black Knights, beating them 100-58 in their most recent game. Freshman guard, Knueppel led Duke with 15 points on 5 of 9 shooting and went 4 of 6 from the three-point line. Freshman superstar Cooper Flagg also added 13 points on 5 of 10 shooting and went 2 of 4 from the three-point line.
The Kentucky Wildcats beat the Bucknell Bison in their most recent game by a score of 100-72. Koby Brea led the Wildcats with 20 points off the bench, going 7 of 11 from the field and 6 of 8 from the three-point line. Jaxson Robinson added 14 points on 6 of 14 shooting from the field and 2 of 8 from the three-point line.
Will Flagg and Duke earn an early season signature win, or will the Wildcats pull the upset to prove they can be a title contender?
Duke Blue Devils vs. Kentucky Wildcats Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
| Duke Blue Devils | -6
-110 |
Over 160.5
-110 |
-265 |
| Kentucky Wildcats | +6
-110 |
Under 160.5
-110 |
+215 |
| **Odds Subject to Change** | |||
Duke Blue Devils vs. Kentucky Wildcats Match Details
- Fixture: Duke Blue Devils vs. Kentucky Wildcats
- Date and Time: Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET
- Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Key Stats
Duke Blue Devils
The season has only just begun but Duke is already flying high. They are averaging 98 points per game while allowing 60 points per game. Their two wins came against Maine, who they beat 96-62, and Army, who they beat 100-58. Through two games, Duke has 5 players averaging double-digits, proving that they have multiple scoring options. The Blue Devils are led by Kon Knueppel, who is averaging 18.5 points per game and he is shooting 56.5% from the field.
Freshman star Cooper Flagg is averaging 15.5 points per game which is second on the team and averages 9.0 rebounds which is also second on the team. Further, Flagg leads Duke with 4.0 assists per game, 2.5 steals per game, and 1.5 blocks per game. As a team, Duke is shooting 52.2% from the field and 41.8% from the three-point line. They are averaging 45.0 rebounds per game and 18.0 assists per game.
Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats enter this game with a record of 2-0, averaging 101.5 points per game. Defensively, the Wildcats are allowing 67.0 points per game. Through two games, Kentucky has 7 players averaging in double-digits. Kentucky is led in scoring by Koby Brea, who is averaging 19.0 points per game. He is shooting 73.70% from the field and 83.30% from the three-point line. Second on the team in scoring is Otega Oweh, who is averaging 15.5 points per game. So far, he is shooting 60.0% from the field and 42.90% from the three-point line.
Amari Williams has also been impressive early in the season, averaging 12.5 points per game. He leads the team in rebounding, averaging 13.5 rebounds per game. The Wildcats are shooting 53.50% from the field and 40.0% from the three-point line. They average 49.0 rebounds per game and 26.0 assists per game.
Prediction
Duke has been set as a 6-point favorite in this game, and that number already looks too much. Given the fact that both Duke and Kentucky cruised in their first two games, this game is likely to show where both teams stand early in the season. That said, it is also harder to imagine that Duke is that much better than Kentucky. Both teams have already shown that they have an explosive offense and both teams have plenty of depth with several different scoring threats.
Of course, Duke has Cooper Flagg, who is expected to be the best player in the country. That said, this is his first real test of the season and he could be in for a tough game against the Wildcats’ defense. Because of this, backing Kentucky to cover will be our best bet as this game has the makings of one that comes down to the final possession.
