No. 4 Duke Decimates No. 2 Kentucky Thanks to Fantastic Freshmen

First-year ballers Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, and RJ Barrett combined to score 83 points.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Zion Williamson #1, RJ Barrett #5 and Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils react from the bench during the State Farm Champions Classic against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke defeated Kentucky 118-84. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Zion Williamson #1, RJ Barrett #5 and Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils react from the bench during the State Farm Champions Classic against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke defeated Kentucky 118-84. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Getty Images

No. 4 Duke and No. 2 Kentucky faced each other Tuesday night in the  Champions Classic, but only one team’s play lived up to the name of the season-opening game.

Duke routed Kentucky 118-84 and saw freshman players Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, and RJ Barrett combine to score a ridiculous 83 points. Freshman guard Tre Jones finished with seven assists and zero turnovers.

Individually, Barrett scored 33 points and Williamson added 28. Both players broke the school record for points by a freshman in their debut.

If both players stay healthy, they’ll both likely be headed to the NBA next season instead of returning for their sophomore seasons in the NCAA.

It was the worst loss in terms of point differential at any level ofJohn Calipari’s coaching career. Afterward, he tipped his cap to the Blue Devils and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

“They were just better than us,” Calipari said. “I told [my team], ‘I got outcoached, you guys got outplayed. We’ll watch the tape and move on.’ They’re a very good team. If they play like that, they’re not losing many, if that’s who they are.”

Win the Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Experience

Want the F1 experience of a lifetime? Here’s your chance to win tickets to see Turn 18 Grandstand, one of Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix’s most premier grandstands!