Kentucky Upsets Duke in Thrilling Champions Classic Showdown
TL;DR
Kentucky, under new head coach Mark Pope, secured a 77-72 victory over Duke in the Champions Classic, thanks to a roster built on experienced players. Pope's strategy of recruiting older, college-experienced players paid off as Kentucky overcame a deficit with key performances from veterans Andrew Carr and Otega Oweh. The Wildcats' emphasis on 3-point shooting and aggressive play in the second half helped them secure their first Champions Classic win since 2020. Duke's Cooper Flagg, a projected top NBA draft pick, led his team with 26 points but couldn't prevent the loss.
- UK leans on experience in statement win vs. Duke ESPN
- KU's precarious top spot, Flagg's costly turnovers, more from the Champions Classic ESPN
- Duke basketball vs Kentucky final score: Wildcats, Mark Pope pull off upset in Champions Classic USA TODAY
- Duke Faces Kentucky in Champions Classic Top-20 Matchup - Duke University GoDuke.com
- Cooper Flagg's costly last-minute turnovers spoil his big night, doom Duke against Kentucky Yahoo Sports
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on ESPN