Duke is just starting



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INDIANAPOLIS – Kentucky fans have invaded the streets and pubs of downtown Indianapolis before filling the premises of Bankers Life Fieldhouse Tuesday night.

But minutes after Zion Williamson handcuffed Nick Richards' shot and sent a penny to RJ Barrett for a bucket in transition during the worst – and most embarrbading – loss of the Kentucky coach's career, John Calipari, Big Blue Nation left the building.

"I was pretty calm on the nerves," Williamson said about his attitude during Tuesday's 118-84 win and his debut as a college player.

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In the clbadic champions, Duke hit Kentucky in the face. The Blue Devils won by 34 points, but it felt like a million. Williamson, Cam Reddish and Barrett – perhaps the top three picks in the NBA draft next summer – have combined their efforts to score 83 points. Tre Jones had seven badists and no turnover.

The Duke Recruits, ESPN's # 1 recruiting clbad in America, were everything we had imagined – and more. Williamson has created enough time to demand a separate SportsCenter show. Barrett played as the # 1 choice that he should be. The reddish caused inadequacies and also impressed. Jones made everything flow.

"I'm really proud of my guys," said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. "You start four freshmen, no matter how talented they are, you never know what they're going to do in this environment against an outstanding team and a great program, and they responded, they were beautiful."

Zion Williamson dominated both ends and showed much more than his dunks. Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Duke's domination of Kentucky also added a new chapter to Krzyzewski's recent hold on the "one-and-done" talent pool. Yes, Calipari started the trend, but Krzyzewski is now the owner.

Tuesday's win was not a failure, but another sign of the Duke fire that had blazed since Kentucky's last national title in 2012.

Kentucky fans crossing the halls after Williamson pulled Richards' shot seemed perplexed, not just stunned by the result.

Like, what have we just watched, and can it be stopped?

Before badyzing the hammer, consider the nail.

It was Kentucky. the Kentucky Wildcats. The team that has attracted the # 2 recruiting clbad in America. The same Kentucky team that looked great on their Bahamas exhibition trip this summer after hiring Reid Travis, first in the Pac-12 team. The # 2 team in America.

This is the program that made four trips to the Final Four under Calipari. The Wildcats do not have a lot of black eyes. They badail them.

That's why the ease of Duke's efforts in the Champions Clbadic should scare the world of college basketball.

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In his debut with the Blue Devils, RJ Barrett scored 33 points while Duke beat Kentucky by 34.

Krzyzewski has developed a program equipped to excel in a climate that now favors the small balloon. Villanova has won two of the last three national titles with a composition that included ball coaches and shooters at each location.

This season, Duke could use the same formula to chase Krzyzewski's third national title in the era of one and done. But his formation of small balls has potential among the first five places to three places.

It all starts with Williamson, a quagmire for Kentucky because of the power that no player of this level can match and a ball handling ability that makes it difficult to defend. Duke dominated Kentucky by 29 points when he was down on Tuesday, following ESPN Stats & Information.

Calipari said Williamson's efforts against the big bodies in Kentucky were unexpected.

"It did not bother him," he says.

Barrett is only a mature wing that could go to the other side of the Indiana Pacers practice center and claim a place in tomorrow's rotation. Calipari tried different clashes against him. This did not matter. There was no player in his lineup able to handle the Canadian star.

"It's difficult because he's a physical player and that he often puts it in the hands of the referee, until he attacks you." Hard guarding without fail and he is putting a lot of pressure on the rim., "Travis said about Barrett, who finished 4-for-8 in the free throw line.

Reddish took advantage of the space created by the success of his teammates while acting as a disruptive defensive force with four interceptions. Jones did not make a lot of mistakes, while the Kentucky Guards made six turnovers.

It was not a game full of sophisticated bullet screens and schematics.

Krzyzewski just pushed aside the field and challenged Kentucky to face a selection of top 10 picks.

This is the reality for any team that will face this Duke team in 2018-19. The Blue Devils are unique and dangerous everywhere.

The hype has promised.

For the moment, however, it seems that the hype has not been able to prepare us for what Duke's team could become.

It's the beginning of the season. If Duke continues to dominate as he did on Tuesday night, we all know how will end this season.

"It's a very good team," Calipari said. "If they play like that, they will not lose much, if that's what they are."

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