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Duke Basketball: The Kentucky Wildcats are young but eager to battle

By Kevin Connelly

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats speaks to PJ Washington #25 in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats speaks to PJ Washington #25 in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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In the first game of the season the Duke Basketball and they will be taking on the Kentucky Wildcats in the State Farm Champions Classic.

The Kentucky Wildcats come into the season ranked No. 2 in the country, behind Kansas, and although they are a young team, they have some key veteran players that should play a big role against the Blue Devils.

The Duke Blue Devils clearly have the top recruiting class in the nation, but the Kentucky Wildcats were right behind them at No. 2.

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Head Coach John Calipari brings in Keldon Johnson, E.J. Montgomery, Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickly, and Tyler Herro.

The Wildcats also added Reid Travis, a graduate transfer from Stanford, who is already a proven player in the PAC-12 but is looking to make his mark at a blue blood program like Kentucky.

Despite all their youth, Kentucky returns Quade Green, Nick Richards, and P.J. Washington.

Green averaged 9.3 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game in 25.6 minutes of action while Richards averaged 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.2 rebounds in 14.7 minutes.

Washington was clearly the most impressive Kentucky Wildcat that is returning who averaged 10.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. Washington was the Wildcat’s third leading scorer last season.

This Kentucky team is like the other that Calipari had in that they are young and inexperienced but he must take some comfort in that he has three players returning who have played in big games last year and have experience in the system.

If the young players from Kentucky seemed overwhelmed by the moment, expect Coach Cal to lean on those veterans to try and bring the ‘Cats to the finish line.

It will be two very young teams with Hall of Fame coaches at the helm in the night cap of the State Farm Champions Classic as the Blue Devils face the Wildcats at approximately 9:30 pm ET.

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