Kentucky v. Duke: Preview

Kentucky and Duke have a long history of hatred dating back to before I was even born, but trust me I know about this rivalry and I know about hating Duke. From Laettner and the shot to 2001 when Rashaad Carruth barked at Coach K. This latest installment of the rivalry takes place in Atlanta, where Calipari has never lost at Kentucky, and figures to be the best game of the Champions Classic. It will be an exciting game and it will no doubt be a game of match ups. So lets get to it.

Nerlens Noel v. Mason Plumlee

With these two we can make the experience argument that people seem to want to make. But I simply can understand why people continue to make that argument after Cal proved last year you can win a title with freshman, you just need the talent. Talent trumps experience every single time, and that is why Kentucky wins. How did that experience and upperclassmen leadership feel losing to Lehigh? Yeah, so stop with that. Noel is still very raw in his game, but has shown plenty of improvement even after a few games on the offensive end. He needs to get his hands on every ball he can off the boards and we know he can block any shot, his defense will not be a problem. Plumlee has to take advantage of the rebounding as well and he is very limited offensively as well. Noel plays angry with a chip on his shoulder and after the rebounding embarrassment in Brooklyn I'm sure Cal will not let it happen again. I think Noel gets the best of Plumlee with his defensive prowess and by simply being more talented then Plumlee.

Willie Cauley-Stein v. Ryan Kelly

Ryan Kelly or as the big blue nation affectionately calls him, poop-tooth, is a big man who can shoot from outside, and has a game much like the game of Kyle Wiltjer on the Kentucky side. While he can shoot from the perimeter, and has a mid range game he doesn't have much of a post game, and isn't what you would call "fast" by any means. In contrast Willie Cauley-Stein is the most athletic big man I have ever seen outside of Anthony Davis. He is 7 foot and played wide receiver in high school for crying out loud. He has a silky smooth mid range jumper, is a great foul shooter, and has more post moves than anyone else in the game. He took Nerlens Noel to school in the scrimmages, and Ryan Kelly is no Nerlens Noel. The edge goes to Willie, however if Wiltjer has to guard Kelly that match up could go either way as they both have trouble on the defensive end.

Archie Goodwin v. Seth Curry

Archie has shades of John Wall with his acrobatic lay ups, and he is fearless in the lane. Duke couldn't even keep Georgia States guards out of the paint much less a top 5 guard in the country with a mean streak reminiscent of Ramel Bradley. Archie also has a solid outside shot and can drive and kick if Duke clogs the lane. With Ryan Harrow out tonight Archie will most likely run the point,  as well as spend time at the 2 guard spot. Curry has a smooth outside jumper just like his brother and is just enough of a turd to fit in on this Duke team. He could cause problems if he gets hot from beyond the arc, and if Jarrod Polson  has to check him, Curry wins that match up. Because of that I see Archie getting major minutes at the point. Archie has a motor that reminds you of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and he will take advantage of the much smaller Curry. However like I said I think Curry could take advantage of a Polson match up.

Alex Poythress v. Whoever Duke Thinks Can Guard Him

For Kentucky Alex Poythress is the key to leaving Atlanta with a win. He has to take advantage of whoever Duke throws at him because there is simply no one on the Duke roster who can keep him in check. If they put Ryan Kelly on him Kelly will not be able to stay in front of him and will be able to gt to the rim which is the greatest strength of Poythress. If Tyler Thornton or Rasheed Sulaimon has to guard him then Poythress will have to either hit his outside shots, or take them into the low post to exploit the size advantage. If Poythress can explode and have a breakout game the he will be Kentucky's leading scorer as well as lead them to a 2-0 record in this young season. He will need to play like the beast that he has proved he can be to put UK over the top in this match up.

I think when it comes down to it if Goodwin and Poythress play like they can and exploit the advantages they will have in size and speed they Kentucky will pull out a win, and if that happens it might not be close. If Plumlee out rebounds Noel and if Seth Curry can light it up from three then Duke will pull out a win.

In the end I think Archie and Alex take over this game and lead the way to a Cats win and the talent and athleticism prove to be too much for the Blue Devils. The athletic big men for the Cats will take advantage of Plumlee and Kelly and fix the rebounding problems that showed up in Brooklyn

Prediction: Kentucky 83 Duke 76

Go Cats.