Duke Preview

[KevinHall]

What more can be said about Duke? They lost a number of players off last years team but like UK they reload, they don't rebuild. So far this season they are 2-0. They scored 92 point against Siena and 113 against Bryant. They also scored 112 and 119 in their two exhibition games. No problems with their offense. This should be an interesting early game that will tell some about both teams. Both teams will be Final Four contenders and could play again somewhere down the road. I expect high a scoring game that should be fun to watch. I'm not sure UK can beat Duke at this point in the season and will probably end up losing a close five point game.
UK is 11-9 against Duke all time. UK hasn't beaten Duke since the 1998 South regional final. They have only played three times since then too. UK has played Duke five times in NCAA play and holds a 3-2 edge there. They beat Duke in 1966,1978 and 1998. 1978 was for the national championship.
This game is Tuesday night at 7:30 pm and will be televised by ESPN. The game is part of the Champions Classic and is in Chicago.

http://www.goduke.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=4200&SPID=1845&SPSID=22726

[Matt Dillon]

As you stated, Kevin, it should give both teams an idea of how far they have to go to get to where they want to be.

[JFCats22]

I really wish this game was in a few weeks. I don't think UK can contain Duke's offense well enough (yet) to win.

UK has committed 34 TOs and 40 fouls. Duke has just 16 TOs and 32 fouls. I know the competition levels are different. But, UK cannot keep turning the ball over and fouling guys and have any chance to beat Duke. Just won't happen. Also, UK has shot 11/38 form three for 29% while Duke has hit 19 of 51 for 37%

If Tyler returns to the player we all think he is and we get Murray, Skal, and Briscoe to be consistent than I think UK can win.

I expect a high scoring, fast paced game. Ultimately I think Duke wins by about 6-8.

[Joneslab]

Wisconsin, who's not that great, beat Sienna like a drum last night. Not sure I pull too much out of any of the four games Kentucky and Duke have played that will make much of a difference in this game tomorrow night. (I do think Albany is a solid team and will be in the NCAA Tournament.)

One thing about Duke is that you have to control Grayson Allen going to the basket. He's shot 18 free throws, hit 17. Kentucky's leading FT shooter is Skal at 10 attempts. So Allen is really pushing it hard at the basket and he'll not miss free throws. The defense has to be better on the help side or they'll just rotate the ball like Duke does and get open looks.

I think it will likely come down to who has the player(s) who are least afraid on the big stage. In every big-time college basketball game there are freshmen who are terrified. Even Kentucky has had that occasionally. There are going to be freshmen all over the court tomorrow. If you think about UK's breakout games in the Cal era, you have Wall against Carolina, Davis's block, Terrence Jones in Maui, Randle mauling Michigan State...all breakout games that didn't always amount to wins.

But I look for somebody on UK's team to have a bust-out game tomorrow night and put himself into the national conversation. I think Murray is a guy that looks the most ready for this.

[Lighthouse]

UK vs Duke is always an exciting game and this one should be no different. I'm concerned about our defense and inside game. Duke should win, but we could pull out a close one.

[KevinHall]

Wisconsin, who's not that great, beat Sienna like a drum last night. Not sure I pull too much out of any of the four games Kentucky and Duke have played that will make much of a difference in this game tomorrow night. (I do think Albany is a solid team and will be in the NCAA Tournament.)

One thing about Duke is that you have to control Grayson Allen going to the basket. He's shot 18 free throws, hit 17. Kentucky's leading FT shooter is Skal at 10 attempts. So Allen is really pushing it hard at the basket and he'll not miss free throws. The defense has to be better on the help side or they'll just rotate the ball like Duke does and get open looks.

I think it will likely come down to who has the player(s) who are least afraid on the big stage. In every big-time college basketball game there are freshmen who are terrified. Even Kentucky has had that occasionally. There are going to be freshmen all over the court tomorrow. If you think about UK's breakout games in the Cal era, you have Wall against Carolina, Davis's block, Terrence Jones in Maui, Randle mauling Michigan State...all breakout games that didn't always amount to wins.

But I look for somebody on UK's team to have a bust-out game tomorrow night and put himself into the national conversation. I think Murray is a guy that looks the most ready for this.

If a freshman has a breakout game it will be Murray in this game. This type of game is made for him. Skal may be overmatched physically in this one. I kinda look for Briscoe to be hyped up too much and make a bunch of turnovers.

[Blue Heaven]

The tale of the tape has us pretty evenly matched. I'm more concerened about our frontcourt in this game. Skal is very skilled but is a step slow and hasn't shown he can be relied upon for a full game yet. Our guards need to keep doing what they're doing. Kevin, I think this is a game that will cater to Briscoe. Yes he could have some turnovers, but he is lightning quick with the ball driving to the hole. Murray should shine in this game. He's the best player on the court for either team.

[teamchemistry15]

Ulis and Murray both show up in big games. I think Skal will be pushed around the entire game as it is his first game being challenged by a legit big man with experience. It should be high scoring and I think we win it by 5 or 6.

[Joneslab]

Duke has traditionally had trouble guarding dribble penetration. That's pretty much a constant. You would think Briscoe could thrive in a game like that.

Will depend on his mindset more than anything. If he wants the stage then he'll have a big night. If he shrinks for it I suspect we'll see some out-of-control frustration. Hard to tell how freshmen are going to react.

[Joneslab]

I'm not as worried about Plumlee against Skal as some of you. They'll try to get him into foul trouble and they may succeed, but I think he'll hold his own.

Plumlee is not a very good player. Strong, plays hard, but just average. A role player. Skal is transcendent and is going to be one of the best offensive players in the country. Kentucky has the advantage all day down there...again, unless Skal is just afraid or he gets a couple of cheap ones, and both are possible.

[catfaninin]

I'm not as worried about Plumlee against Skal as some of you. They'll try to get him into foul trouble and they may succeed, but I think he'll hold his own.

Plumlee is not a very good player. Strong, plays hard, but just average. A role player. Skal is transcendent and is going to be one of the best offensive players in the country. Kentucky has the advantage all day down there...again, unless Skal is just afraid or he gets a couple of cheap ones, and both are possible.

Totally agree with this. I see no reason to be concerned by Plumlee. His size is his only asset. Little to no offensive game, not athletic. His only damage will be done on easy putbacks if Lee and Skal go for blocks and leave him alone. And if they have him try to guard Skal he will get worn out. I would expect they match him against Lee. Much more concerned about Jefferson than Plumlee.

I don't think Dukes guards have much chance if Briscoe and Murray go to the basket. Which leads to help and lets Lee, Skal and Poythress score 2nd chance points

Probably all about 3 point shooting. I think unless they let Duke go crazy out there they win. And may win quite convincingly. Just seems to me to be a really good matchup all around for UK

[Pobilly]

I think the guard match up will be key. Was watching ESPN and they stated that Duke goes 6 to 7 guys only and our bench is much better than theirs. I tend to agree. I think if we get Thorton in trouble then we could go up by double digits. We have Ulis, Murray, Briscoe,Matthews and Hawkins if needed. Then we have Skal, Lee, Poythress, Willis and Humphries to go against the 2 bigs they have. Hope we get to the 50 / 50 balls and hustle.

[Joneslab]

I think the guard match up will be key. Was watching ESPN and they stated that Duke goes 6 to 7 guys only and our bench is much better than theirs. I tend to agree. I think if we get Thorton in trouble then we could go up by double digits.

Thornton isn't starting. Playing about 20 minutes but it doesn't look like he's done much so far. The info out of the summer was that he was way behind. (Of course he'll have 25 tomorrow night.)

Coach K has always been a proponent of getting his best players out there regardless of position. Won a national title playing Jon Scheyer, of all people, at point.

[Pobilly]

So Allen and Jones, Ingram, Jefferson and Plum are the starting 5?

[Joneslab]

So Allen and Jones, Ingram, Jefferson and Plum are the starting 5?

Yes. Not sure who they play at point. Allen I guess as he's their highest assist man.

Thornton is something like 3-17 from the field so far but only has two turnovers. The one stat that really jumps out at you when you look at the teams is how they've taken care of it and how Kentucky has thrown it all over the gym.