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What college basketball experts are saying about Kentucky's potential after Duke win

Here's what the top experts, media personalities, and analysts are saying about Kentucky now.

By Mark Knight

Nov 12, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats center Amari Williams (22) reacts with guard Jaxson Robinson (2) against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Nov 12, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats center Amari Williams (22) reacts with guard Jaxson Robinson (2) against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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To say that there were a lot of doubts about Kentucky basketball from the national perspective is an understatement. Even after some buzz from the "Banner Camp" preseason practices from the Wildcats. Even after the two 100-point games in their first two games of the season. There was still very little buzz about Kentucky basketball. Most of the conversation was, "Well, we will see against Duke."

It was a very common narrative from all over the national college basketball world that Duke would win comfortably. Some even said that Duke would win by 15 or 20 points. That narrative has shifted dramatically after Kentucky's huge win over the Blue Devils 77-72 in the State Farm Champions Classic.

Let's look around the media world and see what they are saying now about Kentucky. Jeff Borzello has added Kentucky to his top 10 for his power rankings. Duke is out of that top 10, as you can see below.

Gary Parrish from CBS Sports wrote a fantastic column on Mark Pope and how Kentucky and Pope are a match made in heaven. It's worth a read.

Dick Vitale is one of the most famous basketball media personalities, and he was wowed and tweeted a handful of posts during and after the game. This was his overall thought:

Barstool weighed in with a dig on former Coach John Calipari. Though, he's probably right, that was a game of execution and adjustments, and Pope is the man for that.

Below is a post-game analysis on ESPN. One reporter says, "Kentucky has peaked, right?" Jay Williams corrects with this beautiful line: "No, they are not peaking. They are a team full of veterans who know how to play."

Here's a couple more:

Here is a great article from Fansided's college basketball site, Busting Brackets. This is one of those places where Kentucky was doubted, but the mood has changed greatly. There was some thought from their writers that Duke would win by 20, but they were shocked (in a good way).

All in all, the narrative has changed from Kentucky being a middle-of-the-road SEC team and a good team nationally but not a great team to 'this team is for real.' You love to see it.

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