Revisiting the 5 areas we thought would be key if Kentucky were to defeat Duke

As we look back over our 5 key areas that would be crucial against Duke, let's see how close we came to what we thought was needed to pull off the win. Of course, Kentucky did just that, a 77-72 heavyweight fight. It wasn’t just a hard-fought game; it was a statement that the Wildcats are here to play this season. Let’s break down the keys and how Kentucky executed to perfection (mostly).

1. The Three Ball- Big Win

In pregame analysis, we noted that Kentucky needed to run Duke off the three-point line while hitting their own deep shots. Kentucky finished 10-of-25 from three (40%), while Duke floundered, shooting just 4-of-23 (17%). The Cats didn’t quite hit the 15-threes goal, but they didn’t need to: Duke’s shooters were smothered all night. Kentucky’s defense forced bad looks and kept Duke scrambling, and when they got open looks, their legs were heavy, and a lot was short—holding a team like Duke to four-made threes? That’s a game-changer, as Duke normally shoots 42%.

2. Khaman Maluach vs. Amari Williams- Push

This matchup was circled as a potential difference-maker, and it didn’t disappoint. Khaman Maluach was solid for Duke with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, but Amari Williams rose to the challenge, finishing with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks himself. Williams managed to pull Maluach out of the paint, stretching Duke’s defense and opening up lanes for Kentucky’s guards all night. While Williams didn’t outscore Maluach, he kept the freshman from controlling the paint, which is exactly what was needed.

3. Ball Movement- Push

Kentucky’s ball movement has been a strength this season, averaging a nation-leading 26 assists per game. Though they only hit 17 assists against Duke, a season low, the Cats kept their turnovers down to 10, exactly as planned. The passing was crisp, and while Duke’s defense was relentless, Kentucky’s ball movement created open shots and lanes to the basket when needed. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. Kentucky’s offense didn’t stall in crunch time, and that is a welcome sight for the Kentucky faithful.

4. Pace- Duke in the first half, Kentucky in the second

Duke came into this game with a slower pace, averaging 74 possessions, while Kentucky thrives in a faster tempo, and Duke willed the game to a crawl at points. The Wildcats turned up the intensity in the last 12 minutes, pushing Duke out of their comfort zone and forcing mistakes.

Kentucky’s depth played a huge role here; while Duke’s shorter rotation started showing signs of fatigue, Kentucky could keep fresh legs on the floor all night long. Maluach cramped up twice late in the game, and even Cooper Flagg committed two key turnovers as Duke struggled to keep up. Kentucky’s tempo wore Duke down just in time.

5. Free Throws - Win

The Wildcats needed to exploit Duke’s tendency to foul more frequently than Kentucky, and they did just that. Kentucky forced Duke into 19 fouls, putting the Blue Devils in foul trouble and getting to the line 24 times on the night. The Cats sank 17 of those free throws, just shy of the 19-goal but more than enough to make a difference. The late free throws from Carr and Oweh sealed the deal.

Final Thoughts

Kentucky may not have hit every single goal perfectly, but they came close enough to win over a top-tier opponent. From locking down the three-point line to pushing the pace and converting at the free-throw line, the Wildcats showed they had the grit and discipline to execute their game plan. The big blue wave kept crashing into Duke, and eventually, the young stars eroded away.

Coach Mark Pope’s squad made Big Blue Nation proud, giving fans a thrilling night and setting the stage for what could be a memorable season.