Duke basketball ready to ‘produce greatness’ in Champions Classic

The Duke basketball team is ready to respond after its first loss of the season. 

A second consecutive ranked matchup is looming for the Duke basketball team as Jon Scheyer’s squad is looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season to then No. 12 Arizona.

The Blue Devils are in Chicago for the annual Champions Classic against No. 18 Michigan State, who precipitously fell in the rankings after a stunning loss on opening night to James Madison.

Duke, who was No. 2 in the preseason, dropped to No. 9 after its 78-73 loss to the Wildcats.

However, freshman Jared McCain is soaking up the greatness and history of the United Center as he tries to help the team prevent a two-game losing skid.

“I don’t know why I wouldn’t want to produce greatness [in the United Center],” McCain said in a social media video.

“This is our time.”

McCain started both games for Duke this season and is averaging 8.5 points per contest on 40-percent shooting from the field and 42.9-percent from 3-point range.

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The McDonald’s All-American fouled out of the season opening victory over Dartmouth after just 15 minutes on the floor but was able to log 29 minutes against Arizona with nine points, four rebounds, and five assists.

“All of us together, we are going to get this dub,” McCain added.

Duke basketball looking to continue success in Champions Classic

Tuesday night will mark the first time that Jon Scheyer has battled Tom Izzo as a head coach as Duke holds a 7-5 record in the Champions Classic, tied for the best mark in the event with Kansas.

The Blue Devils also hold a 3-1 record against the Spartans in the early season showcase.

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It marks the first time since the 1999-2000 season that Duke will play a ranked opponent twice in its first three games to begin a season.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00p.m. EST (ESPN).