Kentucky vs. Duke Game Thread and Pregame Reading

Pregame Reading

Get to know Kentucky's opponent: Duke

Duke comes into this game with a 7-1 record, their only loss coming to Gonzaga in the Maui Invitational Championship game. They are led by 6'7" freshman forward Zion Williamson, who is averaging 24.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Other key players for Duke include 6'6" freshman guard RJ Barrett, 6'10" sophomore center Marques Bolden, and 6'3" senior guard Tre Jones.

Duke is a very talented and well-coached team. They have a lot of size and athleticism, and they can score in bunches. They are also very good defensively, and they force a lot of turnovers.

What to watch for in the Kentucky vs. Duke game

There are a few key things to watch for in this game. First, it will be interesting to see how Kentucky matches up with Duke's size and athleticism. Kentucky is a smaller team, but they are very quick and they play with a lot of energy. It will be important for Kentucky to be able to rebound the ball and to make shots from the outside.

Second, it will be interesting to see how Kentucky's defense matches up with Duke's offense. Duke has a lot of talented scorers, and they can score in a variety of ways. It will be important for Kentucky to be able to contain Duke's guards and to force them into taking tough shots.

Third, it will be interesting to see how Kentucky's bench plays in this game. Kentucky has a lot of depth, and they will need their bench to play well in order to beat Duke.

Game Thread

The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. You can follow along with the game here in our live blog,

**PREGAME**

**7:00 p.m. ET:** Kentucky and Duke are both warming up on the court.

**7:30 p.m. ET:** The starting lineups are announced.

**8:00 p.m. ET:** The game is about to start!

**FIRST HALF**

**8:03 p.m. ET:** Kentucky wins the tip-off.

**8:05 p.m. ET:** Kentucky scores the first points of the game on a layup by PJ Washington.

**8:10 p.m. ET:** Duke answers back with a three-pointer by RJ Barrett.

**8:15 p.m. ET:** The game is tied at 5-5.

**8:20 p.m. ET:** Kentucky takes a 10-5 lead on a three-pointer by Tyler Herro.

**8:25 p.m. ET:** Duke cuts the lead to 10-8 on a three-pointer by Zion Williamson.

**8:30 p.m. ET:** Kentucky leads 15-10 at the first media timeout.

**8:35 p.m. ET:** The game resumes.

**8:40 p.m. ET:** Kentucky extends their lead to 20-10 on a dunk by PJ Washington.

**8:45 p.m. ET:** Duke calls a timeout to stop the bleeding.

**8:50 p.m. ET:** The game resumes.

**8:55 p.m. ET:** Kentucky leads 25-12 at the second media timeout.

**9:00 p.m. ET:** The game resumes.

**9:05 p.m. ET:** Kentucky continues to extend their lead, and they now lead 30-15.

**9:10 p.m. ET:** Duke is starting to make a run, and they cut the lead to 30-20.

**9:15 p.m. ET:** Kentucky leads 35-25 at the end of the first half.

**SECOND HALF**

**9:20 p.m. ET:** The second half is underway.

**9:25 p.m. ET:** Kentucky extends their lead to 40-27.

**9:30 p.m. ET:** Duke cuts the lead to 40-32.

**9:35 p.m. ET:** Kentucky calls a timeout to stop Duke's momentum.

**9:40 p.m. ET:** The game resumes.

**9:45 p.m. ET:** Kentucky leads 45-37.

**9:50 p.m. ET:** Duke's Zion Williamson goes down with an injury.

**9:55 p.m. ET:** Kentucky takes advantage of Zion's absence and extends their lead to 50-37.

**10:00 p.m. ET:** Duke struggles without Zion and they are trailing 55-42 with 10 minutes remaining.

**10:05 p.m. ET:** Kentucky continues to pour it on and they now lead 60-45.

**10:10 p.m. ET:** Duke makes one final run but it's too little too late and Kentucky wins 73-62.

**POSTGAME**

**10:15 p.m. ET:** Kentucky coach John Calipari is interviewed on the court.

**10:20 p.m. ET:** Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is interviewed on the court.

**10:25 p.m. ET:** The game is over and Kentucky has won.