What channel is Kentucky vs Duke basketball on today? Champions Classic 2024 TV schedule

Posted by author November 12, 2024 Basketball

LEXINGTON — When Kentucky basketball collides with Duke, it’s usually a preview of the NBA’s future. Since the NBA draft began in 1947, the Wildcats and Blue Devils are at the top of the list for first-round picks produced. UK owns a narrow advantage, with 60 first-round selections to Duke’s 56.

They’re also 1-2 in terms of No. 1 overall picks. But the Blue Devils boast bragging rights in that department, with five players going with the top selection, two more than the Wildcats.

Duke is expected to add another No. 1 pick to its tally in next year’s draft, with freshman Cooper Flagg considered one of the best prospects to play college hoops in the past decade. Kentucky senior guard Kerr Kriisa, never afraid to needle opponents, couldn’t help but poke fun at Flagg’s anointment ahead of tonight’s Champions Classic clash in Atlanta.

“Obviously, the whole world is talking about Cooper Flagg. Excited to play against the No. 1 draft pick. So congrats to him already,” Kriisa said after UK’s 100-72 win over Bucknell last week.

Another Duke freshman, 7-foot-2 center Khaman Maluach, also is projected to be a lottery selection in the 2025 draft.

“He goes after everything,” UK senior center Amari Williams said of Maluach. “He has a motor, runs the floor. So at that point, we’ve got to wear him down, attack him, try to get him in foul trouble. We know he’s a great player. … So it’ll be fun to see how it goes.”

Here’s what you need to know to follow along from home:

UK and Duke are slated to tip off at approximately 9 p.m. today at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. It will start after the first Champions Classic game today between Kansas and Michigan State, which begins at 7 p.m.

Betting odds: Kentucky is a 6-point underdog (-110) on DraftKings, which set the over-under at160.5 points. The money line odds areUK +215, Duke -265.

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.

Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.

You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.

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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.