There would no rocky first step by No. 9 Duke as Mike Krzyzewski's farewell season officially began Tuesday night.
The Blue Devils showed off their flashy new additions and kept a late push by No. 10 Kentucky at bay to walk away with a 79–71 win at Madison Square Garden in the second of two Champions Classic games on college basketball's opening day.
The night belonged to Duke freshman stars Trevor Keels and Paolo Banchero, who combined for 47 points on 17-for-29 shooting. Banchero overcame some sort of cramps or leg soreness in the second half to see out the game, showing off the pure abilities that made him the No.