A Classic Rivalry Duke vs Kansas
The Duke Blue Devils and the Kansas Jayhawks have been competitive college basketball programs for most of the past 20+ years. Their competition, though less legendary than certain other examples, has yielded some exciting contests and memorable achievements.Duke vs Kansas
A Brief History of the Rivalry Duke vs Kansas
Although the Duke-Kansas game may not carry the same historical weight as other college basketball rivalries, it has become more intense in recent years. Both programs have always yielded the elite category athletes, and have always been in the running for the NCAA Championship.
The two clubs have played each other in several well publicized encounters, usually in high-profile events (e.g., the NCAA Tournament). These games have been defined by high stakes, expert players and exciting (or perhaps shocking) endings.
Key Matchups and Rivalries Duke vs Kansas
- **Coach K vs. Bill Self: The coaching matchup between Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski and Kansas’ Bill Self added an extra layer of intrigue to the rivalry. Both coaches are icons of the game of college basketball and their teams regularly competed in pressure-filled games.
- **Elite Talent Showdowns: The two programs have consistently recruited top-tier talent, leading to matchups between future NBA stars. Players like Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cole Anthony for Duke, and Ben McLemore, Joel Embiid, and Frank Mason III for Kansas have faced off in thrilling contests.
Recent Rivalry Highlights
In recent times, the Duke-Kansas contest has, over and over again, provided close and engrossing contests. Both teams have had periods of dominance, and their games have often been decided by narrow margins. Some of the most memorable recent encounters include:
- **2018 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight: An exciting showdown with Duke victorious over Kansas in overtime.
- **2019 Champions Classic: A close game won by the Jayhawks.
- **2022 NCAA Tournament Second Round: A hard-fought game that Kansas won to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
With both programs still attracting some of the best talent and battling for ultimate trophies, the Duke- Kansas matchup is likely to be one of the best parts of the college basketball season for many years to come.
[Image of Duke vs Kansas basketball game]
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