Nov. 19--INDIANAPOLIS -- Jahlil Okafor came as advertised.
Duke's highly skilled center from Whitney Young hit 5 of 6 shots in the first half to allow the Blue Devils to take a 40-33 halftime lead over Michigan State in the front end of the Champions Classic. Top-ranked Kentucky takes on No. 5 Kansas in the nightcap.
Okafor hit his first two shots, it seemed, before the National Anthem was finished. The second came off a lob, and Okafor finished with ease.
Two-and-a-half games into his college career, Okafor is 22-for-26 from the field.
Duke shot 56 percent in the first half, while Michigan State hit 46.9 percent but just 2 of 11 from downtown.
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein
