Kentucky is coming off of back-to-back victories over Wright State and Bucknell to start off the 2024 season. I know it’s only two games into the season, but Kentucky is averaging over 101 points per game in those two games. However, if you include their two wins over Kentucky Wesleyan and Minnesota State (both exhibitions) then that number would increase to an average of 106 points per game.

I would be lying to you if I was exuding confidence going into the matchup against top-ten Duke tomorrow night. I am not saying that the Blue Devils are more battle-tested than Kentucky, because their two wins are over Maine and Army, but I think it’s just the unknown of both teams being only in their third games of the season that concerns me. If you look at both teams’ roster, Kentucky might have the edge when it comes to experience. However, the difference is not significant enough to tab the win just yet in my mind.

The big difference is that Duke has several freshman getting significant minutes, this including Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel. The other names to keep an eye on are Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster. All five are averaging over 20 minutes a game.

Receiving endless national praise in every chance possible, Cooper Flagg is at the top of the promotion list as he is being projected already as the number one overall NBA Draft pick come next June.

Kentucky’s Kerr Kriisa decided to give his own praise as he’s about to go head-to-head with him this week.

“Obviously the whole world is talking about Cooper Flagg, so we’re excited to play against the number one draft pick. So, congrats to him already,” said Kerr in a post game interview.

I am not so much worried about scoring, unless Kentucky has an extremely poor shooting night. I think they are capable of scoring with the best teams in the nation. Their high-paced offense focuses on putting up as many shots as possible, as we’ve seen so far. This strategy makes the team extremely dangerous against younger, less experienced teams. What I am a little bit concerned about is rebounding. Duke has a lot of size and rebounding was an issue for the Wildcats in their first game of the season against Wright State.

My three keys to victory for Kentucky tomorrow night have to be: limit turnovers, prevent Duke from crashing the boards (especially offensive rebounds), and getting good open looks. If Kentucky can do these three things well then I think it will be a game like many people are expecting — a close game that could go either way.

Give me Kentucky winning in a close one, 84-78, with Koby Brea being the MVP.

The rest of the Cats Coverage staff’s predictions are as followed:

Nate Unthank: 91 – 88, Kentucky. MVP – Amari Williams

Jacob Childers: 80 – 77, Kentucky. MVP – Otega Oweh

John Michael Frey: 78 – 71, Kentucky. MVP – Lamont Butler

Tanin Smith: 86 – 82, Kentucky. MVP – Amari Williams

Tres Terrell: 91 – 85, Duke. MVP – Otega Oweh

Braden Nevius: 87 – 83, Duke. MVP – Jaxson Robinson

Ethan Grantz: 85 – 79, Kentucky. MVP – Amari Williams

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