The Kansas Jayhawks, positioned at No. 24, initiated their contest against No. 5 Duke on Tuesday evening with notable authority, despite the absence of their key guard, Darryn Peterson, due to injury. However, as the face-off at Madison Square Garden progressed, the Jayhawks found themselves lacking the necessary offensive strength to maintain pace, ultimately leading to Duke’s triumph with a final score of 78-66 at the Champions Classic.
The anticipation surrounding this clash of basketball powerhouses experienced a setback earlier in the day when Kansas announced Peterson’s inability to participate due to a hamstring injury. This freshman guard represents Kansas’s premier talent and a potential rival to Duke’s own freshman, Cameron Boozer, in the race to be the top selection in the forthcoming NBA Draft.
Kansas’s roster boasts a wealth of talent beyond Peterson, with senior transfer Tre White (contributing 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) playing a pivotal role in propelling the Jayhawks to an impressive start, securing a 15-10 lead during the initial media timeout. As the game unfolded and both squads utilized their bench players, Duke gradually seized command.
The Blue Devils orchestrated an 11-2 surge, culminating in a 3/4-court assist from Boozer following a Kansas miss, which then translated into a fast-break dunk executed by Isaiah Evans on the opposite end, giving Duke a 35-30 lead.
By halftime, Duke had concluded the first half with an assertive 21-7 run, establishing a 41-33 lead.
Kansas exhibited resilience, narrowing a 10-point deficit in the second half to 67-64 in the closing moments. Nevertheless, they were unable to surmount Duke’s extensive array of talent, coupled with their own struggles in three-point shooting, converting only 4 of 21 attempts (19%).
Duke Re-emerges as a Force to Be Reckoned With
Simultaneously, Duke is showcasing strong signs of being a formidable contender, despite the fact that none of their starters from last season’s Final Four team have returned. Boozer and freshman guard Dame Sarr now join seasoned players Patrick Ngongba, Evans, and Caleb Foster, each of whom previously played supporting roles alongside last year’s starting lineup, which featured NBA lottery picks Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach.
As Kansas sustained pressure throughout the second half, Duke’s youthful lineup consistently responded, ensuring that the Jayhawks were unable to regain the lead. Duke also re-established its advantage late in the game after Kansas managed to close the gap to within a single possession.
Boozer commenced his Duke career with a remarkable performance, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.8 blocks across his initial four games. He once again took center stage on Tuesday night on college basketball’s grandest platform, accumulating 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Peterson’s injury deprived basketball enthusiasts of a compelling freshman showdown. However, these two teams possess the potential to cross paths once more in March.
