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In what has become a storied rivalry, the Duke Blue Devils faced off against the Kentucky Wildcats at State Farm Arena, though last night’s matchup couldn't recapture the glory of Duke's 2018 triumph in the Champions Classic. This year's Duke team, despite boasting a highly touted freshman class, was unable to recreate the magic that saw them decisively beat Kentucky five years ago.

Recalling the 2018-19 season, Duke played a dramatic game against Gonzaga in the Maui Invitational. That Gonzaga team, led by NBA prospects like Rui Hachimura, Corey Kispert, and Brandon Clarke, showcased a mixture of youth and experience. Duke, despite trailing for most of the game, managed to tie the score late but ultimately lost by two points due to critical missed opportunities and “hero ball” plays from RJ Barrett.

Fast forward to last night, Duke appeared to grapple with a similar narrative. Kentucky, although not as formidable as that Gonzaga team, highlighted the contrasting levels of experience between the two squads. The Wildcats, with even their youngest starter older than Duke’s eldest, underscored this gap. Duke's shooting woes from beyond the arc were glaring, hitting just 4-of-23 attempted three-pointers, a mere 17%. Despite this, Duke stayed competitive right until the end, only for Cooper Flagg's ill-advised "hero ball" in the final moments to secure Kentucky's victory by five points.

This year's Duke team, like those of previous seasons, found ways to be competitive even when their performance faltered. Comparatively, Jon Scheyer’s first team had lackluster showings against Purdue in 2022 and a subpar matchup against Arkansas, games where they didn’t manage to stay as close. With Sion James performing well before an unfortunate second-half exit and Khaman Maluach battling through cramps, Duke still led much of the game. They maintained a fighting chance, even putting the ball in the hands of a future NBA top draft pick in the closing moments.

In the unpredictable one-and-done era, young Duke teams often lose tough games, but the best among them consistently stay in contention, even on off-nights. The loss to Kentucky, while a tough pill to swallow, doesn’t diminish Duke's potential for the season. As they prepare for another high-stakes non-conference game against Arizona, the Blue Devils have ample opportunity to learn and grow from this experience.