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.
How many backboards is Zion shattering this year? 😮
(via @CBSSports) pic.twitter.com/JkwagkifY0
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 7, 2018
RJ BARRETT SLAMS IT HOME! #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/JmCi4Hg7g3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 7, 2018
Alright, Zion. Alright. pic.twitter.com/m1Fk1pMvcF
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 7, 2018
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.”
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