ESPN Prediction for Kentucky and Duke

Now, the matchup is set, but all eyes will be focused on the backcourt.

“Both teams have great guards”, Kentucky sophomore Tyler Ulis said. “We’re just going to have to come out there and play hard, and go from there”.

Like Kentucky, Duke has won its first two games and is in rebuilding mode after most of its top players opted for the NBA Draft following the school’s national championship run. Similarly, Duke was also led by its frontcourt, specifically the No. 3 pick, Jahlil Okafor, and No. 10 pick, Justise Winslow.

Game tracker: Kentucky vs. Duke, 7:30 p.m. tonight.

“I’m going to keep shooting the ball”, the 5-foot-9 Ulis said. “I have a lot of confidence in my shot”. “Sometimes fakes, sometimes they come”. What will be the key matchups for each team trying to begin the season with a quality win? “I imagine they’ll do it in the game”.

And therein lies yet another similarity between the two programs. Kansas Jayhawks at MI State Spartans (+6, 149)Game to be played at neutral site at United Center in Chicago, IllinoisTwo of the most talented and experienced teams in the country meet in an early showdown when No. 13 MI State takes on fifth-ranked Kansas in the Champions Classic on Tuesday at the United Center in Chicago. “I’m anxious to see Alex (Poythress)”. “This is a grit game, a grinding game”. Just like they can’t be ready for everything because they’ve only had one day of preparation – unless they’ve prepared before the weekend games.

“They’re driving the ball”, Calipari said. Duke will have its hands full tonight with 6-foot-11 freshman Skal Labissiere, who leads Kentucky with an average of 17.5 points through two games.

ESPN’s C.L. Brown has made a prediction on a lot of college basketball game this week and one of them happens to have Kentucky playing in it.

These teams look different than last season, but both teams are expecting big contributions from freshmen and little-used reserves from past year. Calipari, in his media opportunity Monday, predicted that Tuesday’s game may last two-and-a-half hours because of all the fouls due to both teams trying to get to the basket.

“They do a great job of wedging on rebounds”, Calipari said. It’s like they won’t let you touch anybody. “If we improve on it, we’re gonna go there and compete and it’s gonna be a hell of a game”, MI State coach Tom Izzo told reporters.

“I think they’re very mature and they come in with a lot of talent, but they’re a different group than last year, and we have a different returning class than last year’s class”, Jefferson said. The winner’s season-long resume will get a boost, and the loser’s won’t be harmed significantly.

Where can you watch Kentucky vs. Duke Tuesday? “Like, I’m excited about this game”. Jones had a career-best 19 points in the victory over Bryant but played just three minutes in the second half as coach Mike Krzyzewski was mindful of the looming matchup with Kentucky.

Duke will need more from incoming freshman point guard Derryck Thornton down the line, and his lack of quality play could hinder the Blue Devils chances in this game.

Calipari suggested the only certainty may be that a lot of fouls will be called if the officiating early on is any indication.