Kentucky Upsets Duke in Thrilling Champions Classic Showdown

Kentucky, under new head coach Mark Pope, secured a 77-72 victory over Duke in the Champions Classic, thanks to a roster built on experienced players. Pope's strategy of recruiting older, college-experienced players paid off as Kentucky overcame a deficit with key performances from veterans Andrew Carr and Otega Oweh. The Wildcats' emphasis on 3-point shooting and aggressive play in the second half helped them secure their first Champions Classic win since 2020. Duke's Cooper Flagg, a projected top NBA draft pick, led his team with 26 points but couldn't prevent the loss.