8 Thoughts on Kentucky's Breakthrough Win Over Duke and Postgame Notes

Game Recap:

Kentucky defeated Duke, 78-74, at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic. The Wildcats led by 12 points with less than three minutes remaining, but Duke fought back to within two points with 12 seconds left. Kentucky's TyTy Washington hit two free throws with 10 seconds left to seal the win.

Oscar Tshiebwe led Kentucky with 20 points and 19 rebounds. Kellan Grady added 17 points for the Wildcats. Paolo Banchero led Duke with 22 points. Trevor Keels added 19 points for the Blue Devils.

Postgame Notes:

• This was Kentucky's first win over Duke since 2018.
• Kentucky is now 3-0 this season.
• Duke is now 2-1 this season.
• This was a significant win for Kentucky, which is trying to prove that it is a legitimate contender this season.
• Kentucky will host Louisville on Saturday night.
• Duke will host Army on Friday night.

8 Thoughts on Kentucky's Breakthrough Win

1. Kentucky's defense was the key to the win. The Wildcats held Duke to just 36.8% shooting from the field, including 26.9% from three-point range.
2. Oscar Tshiebwe was a monster on the boards. He grabbed 19 rebounds, including 10 offensive rebounds.
3. Kellan Grady hit some big shots for Kentucky. He made 5 of 11 three-pointers.
4. TyTy Washington played a solid game for Kentucky. He scored 12 points and dished out 6 assists.
5. Paolo Banchero had a tough night for Duke. He was held to 22 points on 8-of-21 shooting.
6. Trevor Keels was a bright spot for Duke. He scored 19 points and hit 4 of 8 three-pointers.
7. This was a big win for Kentucky, which is trying to prove that it is a legitimate contender this season.
8. Duke will need to regroup after this loss. The Blue Devils have a tough schedule coming up, including games against Gonzaga and Ohio State.