The Wildcats were averaging 101.5 points a game going into the Champions Classic. With 53 assists on 77 made field goals in wins over Wright State and Bucknell, Kentucky entered Duke game with more dimes than any team in men’s NCAA college hoops.

The Big Blue Nation was pumped up for this year’s edition of the Champions Classic. The clash with Duke in Atlanta was seen as a showcase game for a new era as Mark Pope would go head-to-head against Jon Scheyer in his first big game on the UK sideline.

Kentucky beat Duke 77-72 on Tuesday night. Kentucky beat Duke. That’s right, D-u-k-e. In the Champions Classic. Before a loud crowd of fine people on both sides in a terrific college basketball game between two of the sport’s blue bloods.