Start time and ticket information for Kentucky vs. Duke Champions Classic released

The biggest game of the unofficial, official opening of college basketball now knows when to kick off. The Kentucky Wildcats vs. Duke Blue Devils game is the second game of the doubleheader and begins at 9 p.m. in Atlanta at State Farm Arena.

Kansas vs. Michigan State opens the event with a (preferred) start time of 6:30 p.m.

Would you like to attend? You can register for the pre-sale of tickets, which are expected to go on sale at the end of September.

Kentucky lost its last meeting in the Champions Classic against Duke in November 2021, which was the first game of the season for both teams. In fact, Kentucky hasn't won a Champions Classic matchup since Tyrese Maxey's 26-point frenzy in 2019 against Michigan State.

Kentucky has lost its last two games against Duke, the other time being the Blue Devils' 118-84 loss to PJ Washington and Co. in 2018. Additionally, Kentucky has lost three of four games against Duke.

Kentucky has a 5-8 record in the event since its inception in 2011.