ATLANTA -- Seth Curry did some schooling on Kentuckys latest group of heralded freshmen, showing that experience does matter -- especially in November. The senior guard scored 23 points and No. 9 Duke held off a furious comeback by the third-ranked Wildcats, beating the defending national champions 75-68 Tuesday night in the first matchup between the storied programs since 2001. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski likes the mix of his team, while Kentuckys John Calipari conceded that his youngsters still have a lot of growing up to do. "Veterans and talent," Krzyzewski said. "Now, I wouldnt mind having some of their guys. And Im sure they would like to have some of our guys." Duke (2-0) appeared to be in control, even with Mason Plumlee on the bench in foul trouble. The Blue Devils ripped off a 13-3 run, capped by Rasheed Sulaimons 3-pointer that made it 58-44 with 9 1/2 minutes remaining. But Kentucky (1-1) wasnt done, rallying like the defending champ even though this is essentially a whole new team in Caliparis one-and-done system. The Wildcats outscored Duke 17-6 over the next six minutes and actually had a chance to tie it. Julius Mays missed a 3-pointer with the Blue Devils clinging to a 64-61 lead. Curry made sure youthful Kentucky didnt get any closer. He blew past Archie Goodwin on a drive -- using a pump fake to get by the freshman guard -- that essentially clinched the win. The Blue Devils are expecting nothing less out their leaders. "Thats what we worked on during the preseason -- taking control of the team, having it be our team," Curry said. "I had it going, so they came to me." Alex Poythress led Kentucky with 20 points, while Nerlens Noel and Goodwin added 16 apiece. All are freshmen, showing this team has plenty of room to grow before tournament time. Their ultimate goal is a return trip to "Cat-Lanta" -- and two more games in the Georgia Dome, site of this seasons Final Four. In the first game of a doubleheader featuring four of the countrys best programs, No. 21 Michigan State knocked off No. 7 Kansas 67-64. "This was a big game for these guys," Calipari said. "They were in Vegas playing AAU ball four months ago." Even though Kentucky opened the season with a tight victory over Maryland, Calipari wasnt happy with his teams effort -- especially on the boards. They were outrebounded 54-38 by the Terrapins, including 28 at the offensive end. That was simply unacceptable given Kentuckys vaunted frontcourt featuring the 6-foot-10 Noel and 7-footer Willie Cauley-Stein. Rebounding wasnt as much of an issue this time -- Duke finished with a 31-30 edge -- but the experienced Blue Devils showed a bit more poise down the stretch. "Nerlens played way more aggressive than he did against Maryland," Calipari said. "Were getting better. We were better than we were against Maryland. This team just had some seniors. But we had a chance. When we got it to three I said, Were going to win this. They just made their free throws." After Duke let Kentucky back in the game by continuing to put up errant jumpers, Curry finally changed things up. He gave a slight fake and took off for the hoop with just over 2 minutes remaining, forcing Goodwin to grab him by the arm. The senior knocked down both ends of the one-and-one, pushing Duke to a 66-61 lead with 2:04 remaining. Poythress gave the Wildcats a semblance of hope, putting back a missed shot, but Curry blew by Goodwin again for a layin that made it 68-63 with 1:13 left and essentially sealed it. Calipari called a timeout and screamed at Goodwin as the freshman walked toward the bench. In the final minute, Curry added two more free throws to help finish off the Wildcats. Plumlee fouled out near the end, but not before scoring 18 points in 29 minutes. Ryan Kelly and Sulaimon had 10 points apiece. Both Curry and Sulaimon hit three shots beyond the arc, as the Blue Devils finished 8 of 18 from 3-point range. Kentucky still must address the same point guard questions it had before the opener. Sophomore transfer Ryan Harrow has been suffering from flu-like symptom and didnt even make the trip to Atlanta, ruining a chance to impress the home folks. He played his high school ball in suburban Marietta. Mays, a graduate student, started in place of Harrow but had only seven points and three assists. Calipari said he shouldnt have played Harrow against Maryland. As it was, the guard was only able to go 10 minutes. Now, while the team awaits the results of blood tests, the coach vowed not to play him again until hes fully recovered. "He said he could go, but he wasnt ready," Calipari said. "We need to get him healthy." Duke led 33-31 at halftime, but began to pull away early in the second half. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Sulaimon and Quinn Cook snapped a 37-all tie, and two more treys by Sulaimon gave Duke its biggest lead. But Kentucky began to clamp down defensively, and the Blue Devils went cold. Until experience took over. [url=http://www.authenticseahawksshop.com/marshawn-lynch-jersey.html]http://www.... . -- The Denver Broncos have waived safety Duke Ihenacho, opening a roster spot that could be filled by linebacker D. [url=http://www.authenticseahawksshop.com/richard-sherman-jersey.html]http://www... . A brief statement from Galatasaray on Saturday said a deal was reached with Inter but that talks with Sneijder were ongoing. It did not disclose terms of the deal with Inter, which is in a contract dispute with Sneijder and wants him to take a pay cut. [url=http://www.authenticseahawksshop.com/12th-fan-jersey.html]http://www.authen... . The 21-year-old Chan, who is known for his rocky starts to the season, has new choreographers, new programs and a new lead coach in Kathy Johnson this season, and said he wasnt dismayed by the result. [url=http://www.authenticseahawksshop.com/russell-wilson-jersey.html]http://www.... . - Cory Boyd is making the most of his chances this season. [url=http://www.authenticseahawksshop.com/]http://www.authenticseahawksshop.com/... .ca NHL Power Rankings, for the fifth time in the last six weeks, ahead of the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings. CONOVER, N.C. -- Dan Forsman overcame back problems Friday to shoot a 7-under 65 and take a one-stroke lead over Fred Funk, David Frost and Larry Mize in the Greater Hickory Classic. Forsman had eight birdies and a bogey in the opening round on Rock Barn Golf and Spas Jones Course. He won the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii in January for his third Champions Tour title. The 54-year-old player pulled a back muscle two weeks ago. "I hadnt struck a ball until (Thursday)," Forsman said. "Ive been able to spend a lot of time on the putting green, and that paid off. I knew I had to play sensible because I had my limitations ... but my momentum built up once I made some putts. It was fun. I enjoyed the heck out of it." Frost and Mize had bogey-free rounds, and Funk had four birdies and a closing eagle on the par-5 18th. "I had a few opportunities early that I didnt make," said Funk, who won at The Woodlands in Texas in May for his seventh Champions Tour title and first in nearly two years. "But it turned out to be a good day." Defending champion Mark Wiebe and Jay Don Bllake shot 67.dddddddddddd. Wiebe had a hole-in-one on No. 3. "That ace on No. 3 was just lucky," Wiebe said. "I didnt even know it had gone in. I heard some people cheering on the green, but I thought that was because I had hit it close." Tom Lehman, 69 points behind leader Bernhard Langer in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, opened with a 68. Langer, the winner Sunday in the SAS Championship in Cary, had a 70. Last week, Forsman had a second-round 80 and finished 78th at 10 over. "Ill tell you how bad it was (last week) ... on the ninth hole, I had a spasm so bad I hit the deck," Forsman said. "My son (Tommy) had to help me up so I could finish the round." After the final two regular-season events, the top 30 on the money list will advance to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Nov. 1-4 at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz. Forsman is 24th with $568,519. "This couldnt have come at a worse time, because Im trying to make the Schwab Cup," Forsman said. "Ive got a lot riding on that personally, so Im grateful to be able to come out here and play as well as I did today." ' ' '