LEXINGTON —Two of college basketball’s biggest brands square off Tuesday, when Kentucky and Duke tussle in this year’s Champions Classic in Atlanta.
The Wildcats and Blue Devils have defined excellence in the sport for decades. They’ve sent numerous players to the NBA, many of whom are among the league’s brightest stars today. And each program features iconic coaches, though both now have leaders in the early years of their tenures in Mark Pope and Jon Scheyer.
Here’s a breakdown of UK and Duke, from their on-court rivalry and NCAA Tournament success to NBA draft royalty, heading into Tuesday’s 9 p.m. tipoff:
Kentucky vs Duke basketball rivalry: Who leads series?
Kentucky owns the narrowest of advantages in the rivalry with Duke, entering Tuesday’s game up 12-11. But the Blue Devils have had their way recently, winning nine of the last 11 matchups, including the last two (2018 and 2021, both in the Champions Classic).
If Duke prevails Tuesday, it would be the first time the rivalry is tied since 1931, when it was 1-all.
The only time the Wildcats have ever trailed in the rivalry occurred after the first meeting in 1930, which the Blue Devils won, 37-32. After that, UK reeled off four straight victories and 10 of the next 11.
When was the last time Kentucky beat Duke in basketball?
The Wildcats’ last triumph over the Blue Devils was nearly a decade ago.
Then-No.2 Kentucky topped then-No. 5 Duke, 74-63, on Nov. 17, 2015, in Chicago.
Where do UK and Duke rank on college basketball’s all-time wins list?
The Wildcats have the most wins in college basketball history, with 2,400 following last week’s rout of Bucknell. The Blue Devils have 2,302 victories, good for fourth most all time.
Kansas (2,395 wins) and North Carolina (2,373) are second and third, respectively.
Kentucky vs Duke championships: Who has more NCAA Tournament titles?
UK has eight national championships (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998, 2012). That’s second most all time, behind UCLA (11).
Duke has five national titles, which is tied with Indiana for fifth most.
North Carolina and UConn are tied for third, with six national championships apiece.
Kentucky does own one piece of history to itself, however: Five different coaches (Adolph Rupp , Joe B. Hall, Rick Pitino, Orlando “Tubby” Smith and John Calipari) have guided the program to a national title.
No other school has more than three national-title winning coaches.
Kentucky vs Duke in March Madness: Who has more Final Four appearances?
Kentucky and Duke boast the same number of Final Four berths, with 17 each. That’s tied for third most in NCAA Tournament history.
North Carolina is first, with 21 Final Four appearances.
UCLA is second, making the Final Four 18 times; that figure comes with an asterisk, however. The Bruins have reached the Final Four on 19 occasions, but their 1980 appearance (when they lost to Louisville in the national title game) was vacated because two players (Kiki Vanderweghe and Rod Foster) were found to have accepted money from a booster who also was a sports agent.
Kentucky vs Duke: Coaching history
At the time of his retirement in 1972, Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp was the winningest coach in college basketball history, owning 876 victories in 41 seasons.
Mike Krzyzewski now holds that title, with 1,202 victories in 47 seasons as a college coach. He won 1,129 games in 42 seasons (1980-81 through 2021-22) at Duke and picked up 73 victories in five years at Army (1975-76 through 1979-80).
Krzyzewski led Duke to all five of its national titles (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015) while Rupp accounts for half of UK’s eight (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958).
There is only one other Division I coach with more than four national championships.
John Wooden, the all-time leader, won 10 at UCLA.
Kentucky vs Duke NBA players: Who has more draft picks?
The Wildcats and Blue Devils always are well represented in the NBA draft.
Kentucky has had 144 players selected dating back to the first draft in 1947. Duke has had 111 players picked.
Kentucky vs Duke NBA players: Who has more first-round selections?
UK and Duke rank 1-2 in terms of first-round selections: The Wildcats have had 60 first-round picks, just ahead of the Blue Devils’ 56.
Kentucky vs Duke NBA players: Who has more No. 1 overall picks?
The Blue Devils own the edge here. They have had five players taken with the top overall pick in the draft, the most of any school.
Their five No. 1 picks are: Art Heyman (1963; New York Knicks), Elton Brand (1999; Chicago Bulls), Kyrie Irving (2011; Cleveland Cavaliers), Zion Williamson (2019; New Orleans Pelicans) and Paolo Banchero (2022; Orlando Magic).
Kentucky is next in line, with three No. 1 picks: John Wall (2010, Washington Wizards), Anthony Davis (2012, New Orleans Hornets) and Karl-Anthony Towns (2015, Minnesota Timberwolves)
No other school has had more than two players selected No. 1 overall.
UK vs Duke spread
Betting odds: Kentucky is a 7 ½-point underdog, per BetMGM.
Kentucky vs Duke where to watch
The contest between the Wildcats and Blue Devils will air on ESPN. Dan Shulman (play-by-play), Jay Bilas (analyst) and Jess Sims (sideline) will have the call.
Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.
You also can stream ESPN on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Kentucky vs Duke tickets
Ticket prices for the Kentucky vs Duke basketball game at State Farm Arena start at $57 on VividSeats and $56 on StubHub.
To see a full list of ticket prices, visit StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek.
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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky vs Duke basketball: How to watch, odds, tickets, NBA players
