The 14th version of the Champions Traditional didn’t lack storylines on Tuesday evening. The marquee occasion delivered on a number of ranges, from Hunter Dickinson’s double-double and Invoice Self’s history-making evening to Duke freshman Cooper Flagg’s late turnovers and Kentucky’s first signature win beneath head coach Mark Pope.
Listed here are three takeaways from the Champions Traditional.
Dickinson’s effectivity carries No. 1 Kansas to victory, provides Invoice Self probably the most wins in this system
Regardless of a tough capturing evening that noticed the Jayhawks miss 15 consecutive pictures, the top-ranked workforce grinded out a 77-69 win over Michigan State within the first recreation of the Champions Traditional. Dickinson led the way in which with 28 factors, 12 rebounds and three steals whereas making 13 of his 21 shot makes an attempt. It was Dickinson’s 50th career double-double.
Whereas no different Jayhawks participant scored greater than 11 factors, the Kansas protection held Michigan State to 34.8 p.c capturing and a depressing 12.5 p.c (3-for-24) from three. The Spartans’ greatest participant, Jaden Akins, solely had two factors and was 1-for-8 from the ground.
With the win, Self passes Phog Allen for the most wins as the pinnacle coach of Kansas with 591.
Kentucky secures first signature win of Mark Pope period
After trailing by 9 factors on the half, the resilient Wildcats outscored Duke 40-26 within the second half to safe the primary signature win of the Mark Pope period, 77-72. The evening’s spotlight for the Wildcats was their three-point capturing, making 40 p.c (10-for-25) of their pictures behind the arc and holding the Blue Devils to solely 17.4 p.c (4-for-23).
Andrew Carr led the way in which with 17 factors and 5 rebounds and Otega Oweh hit 4 free throws within the remaining 10.3 seconds. Whereas Kentucky couldn’t gradual Duke’s freshmen within the first half, the Wildcat protection stepped up and compelled two important turnovers from Flagg within the closing seconds to safe the huge win.
In distinction to years previous, Kentucky took benefit of getting a extra skilled workforce and made the performs down the stretch to knock off the youthful, primarily inexperienced Blue Devils workforce.
Cooper Flagg’s late miscues had been pricey for Duke
The freshman Flagg performed effectively total, however his errors late within the recreation proved an excessive amount of for Duke to beat. He had 26 factors and 12 rebounds within the recreation however couldn’t make the performs to shut the sport out down the stretch.
With Duke trailing 74-72 and an opportunity to win the sport, Flagg put his hand on the top line as he tried to regain his steadiness within the nook and turned the ball over. He additionally didn’t field out when Kentucky missed a free throw up 75-72.
Regardless of a tough end for the freshman, Flagg confirmed his potential all through the sport earlier than committing these pricey turnovers late. With a tricky stretch arising that features video games towards No. 9 Arizona, No. 1 Kansas and fifth-ranked Auburn, Flagg could have loads extra alternatives to showcase his talents and work on his execution late in shut video games.
