The Kentucky Wildcats finished the first week of the regular season 2-0.

But on Tuesday, they will have their first big test of the season, traveling to Atlanta to take on the Duke Blue Devils in the 2024 Champion’s Classic.

Duke comes in with a roster reminiscent of past Kentucky teams, full of elite freshmen. Meanwhile, Kentucky comes in with the oldest team in program history. It will be a true battle between youth and experience.

The Wildcats are just 1-6 in their last seven Champions Classic games and just 1-5 against Duke over their last six meetings.

Will the Wildcats be able to change course? Let’s take a look at what to watch for when the Wildcats take on the Blue Devils.

Rebounding Battle

Duke has the tallest team in the country, with an average height of 6’7.5”. That certainly helps them in their battle of the boards, where they are averaging 45 rebounds and 14 offensive rebounds through two games.

Meanwhile, Mark Pope has not been pleased with Kentucky’s effort on the boards to start the season. In their latest game against Bucknell, rebounding was a clear point of emphasis as the Cats grabbed 57 rebounds, including 22 offensive boards.

Kentucky doesn’t give up too much height, but they do give up some athleticism. With a lot of long rebounds from threes, all five Cats on the floor need to box out.

Turnover Battle

Duke has the height and length to be a pest on defense. Through two games, the Blue Devils have combined for 18 steals on defense, which allows them to create easy offense.

After turning the ball over 15(!) times against Bucknell, eight of which were between Amari Williams and Andrew Carr, they’ll have to be aware of the pressure inside and keep the ball moving.

Conditioning

Mark Pope has talked about improving his team’s conditioning. He wants them to be in shape reminiscent of Rick Pitino’s 90s teams, which Pope was a part of. They will be able to see where they stand physically and potentially use it to their advantage.

Currently, Kentucky ranks 26th in adjusted tempo, while Duke ranks 181st. However, both team’s average possession lasts less than 15 seconds. This means a fast-paced game should be expected.

Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg has cramped in each of the Blue Devils’ first two games. If Kentucky can push the pace, it will give them a better chance at winning.

The Stage

This is Kentucky’s most experienced team in program history. However, on Tuesday, many of them will be playing on the biggest stage of their career.

We have seen Kentucky freshmen struggle in this event in the past. Now, with a team of veterans, can they contribute when the lights shine the brightest?

This is exactly what they signed up for when they chose to come to Kentucky. Let’s see if they’re ready for the big stage against a legitimate national championship threat.

Opposing Players to Watch

G/F Cooper Flagg 6-9, 205 lbs

• 15.5 PPG
• 9 RPG
• 4 APG
• 2.5 SPG

G/F Kon Knueppel 6-7, 217 lbs

G Tyrese Proctor 6-6, 183 lbs

• 12.0 PPG
• 5 RPG
• 1.5 APG
• 50% 3P

Time: 9:00 PM ET on November 12th

Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia

TV Channel: ESPN

Announcers: Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Jess Sims

Online Stream: ESPN+, and the ESPN app.

Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.

Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).

Rosters: UK | DUKE

Stats to Know: UK | DUKE

KenPom: UK | DUKE

Team Sheet: UK | DUKE

Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook does not yet have the lines for this game. Please check back Monday afternoon for official odds. But for the first time this season, the Wildcats are set to be underdogs. Bart Torvik (31%), EvanMiya (30.7%), ESPN (29.1%), and KenPom (26%) all give Kentucky less than a 35% chance of achieving victory.

Predictions: The early projections have Kentucky losing a close one, including KenPom (83-76), EvanMiya (84-77), Bart Torvik (81-76), and Haslametrics (82-78).

Be sure to send us your Kentucky vs. Duke score predictions in the comments section!