No. 7 Duke will take on No. 23 Kentucky in both teams' first ranked matchup of the year. The Blue Zone is here with an overview, key stat, X-factor and three keys to a Duke victory:

Overview

2023-24 record: 23-10, 13-5 in the SEC

2024-25 record: 2-0 

Head coach: Mark Pope

Series history: Duke leads 9-5

Last meeting: 79-71 Duke, Nov. 9, 2021

No. 23 Kentucky is in a unique position this season. The Wildcats’ roster consists almost entirely of transfers — including the coach. It's difficult to use Kentucky’s past seasons to predict the 2024-25 season, because the Wildcats essentially have a brand new program on their hands. With the departure of former head coach John Calipari to Arkansas, Kentucky lost nearly all its players to the transfer portal or the NBA. Not a single scholarship player from the 2023-24 season is returning to the Wildcats. 

To say Kentucky has had an easy schedule this season would be an understatement. With exhibition games against Kentucky Wesleyan and Minnesota State and official games against Wright State and Bucknell, the Wildcats have to be ready to show up and show out if they want a chance at upsetting No. 7 Duke. Kentucky’s best chance at exploiting Duke’s weakness is in the Blue Devil’s shooting percentage. Duke’s freshmen are excellent shooters, but often focus on quantity over quality. The Wildcats are better at making each shot count. -Reiniche

X-Factor

Duke: Khaman Maluach

Khaman Maluach is hard to miss. Standing at 7-foot-2, he isn’t just a towering presence — he’s a game-definer. Before stepping onto the court at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Maluach had already made a name for himself on the international stage, becoming the youngest basketball player to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. With Duke, his dynamic play has proven to be capable of changing the course of a game.

With his expansive wingspan, the freshman from South Sudan has become a defensive cornerstone for the Blue Devils. Against Army, he led the team with 14 rebounds, dominating the glass at both ends of the floor. His presence around the rim — whether blocking shots or finishing strong at the basket — has made opponents think twice whenever Maluach is near the ball. 

As Duke faces Kentucky, Maluach remains the tallest on the court, but with 6-foot-11 Andrew Carr just three inches shorter than him, the matchup will be a battle of giants. If Maluach continues to dominate the glass and protect the rim, he’ll be a key difference-maker against the Wildcats. However, to truly become a central figure in Duke’s quest for success, Maluach must continue to adjust to the pace of college basketball and prove his versatility on both ends of the floor. 

Kentucky: Andrew Carr

The graduate student enters his first season playing with Kentucky. With two years at Delaware and two years at Wake Forest, Carr is a versatile offensive forward with great defensive ability grabbing rebounds and blocking shots. His rare combination of skills on both ends of the floor makes him a formidable threat to any team that faces him.

The West Chester, Pa., native, one of three Demon Deacons to start all 35 games last season, demonstrated efficiency in the paint throughout 2023-24. Carr finished second on his team with an average of 6.2 rebounds per game and led Wake Forest with 1.5 blocks per game. As one of the Wildcats’ nine incoming transfers this season, his specific role is still to be determined. However, when Kentucky faces Duke, Carr’s imposing size will put him in direct competition with the Blue Devils' 7-foot-2 center, Khaman Maluach. If the graduate can balance scoring with his defensive responsibilities — blocking shots and limiting second-chance opportunities — he could play a crucial role in disrupting Duke’s rhythm and giving the Wildcats’ a significant edge in securing the victory. -Lucy Glynn

3 keys

Stay composed: Duke has dominated its opponents to start the season. In the past 80 minutes of game time, the Blue Devils have played from behind for only 18 seconds, with Maine not holding a lead throughout its matchup against Duke. Doubtlessly, the supremacy that the Blue Devils have shown on the court has inspired confidence in the young players that comprise the team; however, the Blue Blood battle upcoming with Kentucky threatens to disrupt this pattern of dominion. 

The Wildcats have three freshmen listed on their active lineup. In contrast, Duke has three on its starting five alone. In a game where the lead is likely to change hands, the Blue Devils’ first-year players must show the composure they have displayed thus far to stay competitive with Kentucky’s seasoned roster. If Duke’s freshmen can do so, the Wildcats will fall victim to the same fate that both Maine and Army experienced, and the Blue Devils will continue their dominance on the court. 

Second chance opportunities: The Blue Devils played well against Maine, tallying 40 rebounds in their season opener with the Black Bears on Monday. Duke played even better Friday, building on its momentum and racking up another 50 in its matchup against Army. With almost half of those rebounds coming on offense, the Blue Devils have consistently earned second chances while they play from within the paint. Key to this success has been Maluach, who has averaged 10 rebounds over the past two games, though Cooper Flagg trails close behind, averaging nine of his own.

In its first season showing, Kentucky — in true Blue Blood fashion — recorded an impressive 41 rebounds of its own, though only seven of these came while the Wildcats were on offense. Add that to a top-ten shooting efficiency and its ability to protect the ball — only giving away seven turnovers — and Kentucky is as threatening of a team as to be expected. Against a fellow powerhouse in the NCAA, the Blue Devils must take advantage of every chance they possess, especially second ones, to control the ball. If Duke can capitalize on its rebounds, securing a victory is only a matter of time.  

Share the wealth: Duke has found its recipe for success just two games into the season, and it's not one player. It's six. In back-to-back games, the Blue Devils had six players record double-digit points. The freshman duo of Kon Knueppel and Flagg stands out, with the two being the leading scorers in both of Duke’s games; however, the supporting cast has been nothing short of stellar, especially transfer Sion James, who recorded double-digit points in his first two starts as part of The Brotherhood. 

Kentucky has proven to have an elite defense, locking down three of Wright State’s starters and holding them to less than five points each. Against such a potent defense, the Blue Devils’ offensive success lies in continuing to move the ball around the court. If the Duke team can do so and grant all members of its cast to capitalize on opportunities, then Kentucky’s defense will be spread thin, and Duke will go forward to secure its third win this season. –Tyler Ruben