:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70120503/1352376750.0.jpg)
Duke overcame some adversity to post a very impressive 79-71 win over Kentucky Tuesday night in the Garden.
The adversity? Starters Paolo Banchero and Wendell Moore both had second-half cramps.
The funny thing is right about when that all started is when Duke broke a close game open.
Duke was up just 49-48 with 15:45 to go.
That’s when Trevor Keels went to work, scoring six of the next eight points for Duke while Banchero was out and Moore was struggling, eventually leaving too.
By the time Keels hit his third shot Duke was up 57-50. Kentucky would rally, cutting the lead to 69-65 with 6:09 left.
But it was Duke’s night. The Blue Devils rebuilt a double-digit lead and Kentucky was never in position to threaten again.
It was too bad for the Cats because Oscar Tshiebwe was sensational. He had seven offensive rebounds early, finished with 12 offensvie rebounds, 19 overall and 17 points. He was a real handful for Mark Williams and Theo John, who racked up six fouls between them. Tshiebwe is like a free radical just bouncing off of everything and grabbing the ball. Coach K at one point asked him in high school if he was a machine: “No, I’m Oscar.” We love him.
Oscar had a bit of Moses Malone’s toughness and Hakeem Olajuwon’s bounce. He was a lot of fun to watch.
Keels finished with 25 for Duke while Banchero had 22 and Moore 12. Williams had three blocks and seven boards. Banchero and, impressively,Jeremy Roach matched him on the boards.
Jim will be along soon with his take.
- No. 9 Duke kicks off Mike Krzyzewski’s final season with impressive win over No. 11 Kentucky
- Coach K wins Garden finale as Duke tops Kentucky 79-71
- Duke Opens Coach K’s Final Season With Impressive Champions Classic Win Over Kentucky
- Coach K wins Garden finale as Duke tops Kentucky 79-71
- Duke vs. Kentucky score, takeaways: Freshmen Paolo Banchero, Trevor Keels push Blue Devils past Wildcats
- UK Basketball Twitter reactions to Champions Classic loss to Duke
- Duke men’s basketball kicks off campaign with win against Kentucky
- Five observations from Duke men’s basketball’s first half against Kentucky
- Three things we learned about Duke in its win over Kentucky at Madison Square Garden
- Coach K Diaries: Spotlight falls on Mike Krzyzewski early at Madison Square Garden
- Even in defeat, Kentucky joins Duke in providing basketball drama in season opener
- Five things you need to know from Kentucky’s 79-71 loss to Duke
- Keels, Banchero Lead No. 9 Duke Past No. 10 Kentucky
Poll
Player Of The Game vs. Kentucky
This poll is closed
-
0%
Wendell Moore
(7 votes) -
2%
Paolo Banchero
(17 votes) -
0%
Mark Williams
(4 votes) -
0%
Jeremy Roach
(3 votes) -
93%
Trevor Keels
(718 votes) -
0%
AJ Griffin
(2 votes) -
0%
Joey Baker
(7 votes) -
1%
Theo John
(10 votes) -
0%
Jaylen Blakes
(4 votes)
Loading comments...