Hello, Big Blue Nation. Kentucky announced itself with authority on Tuesday night in the State Farm Champions Classic against No. 6 Duke. In a game that went down to the wire, it was Kentucky that looked the more veteran team.

Otega Oweh knocked down four free throws in the final 10.3 seconds and No. 19 Kentucky claimed the first big win of Mark Pope’s coaching tenure.

It wasn't an easy decision, but when Mark Pope decided to return to coach his alma mater, he took on all the pressure of UK fandom.

It didn’t take long for Mark Pope to win over Big Blue Nation. pic.twitter.com/9o1umXbMVc Kentucky rallied from a 9-point halftime deficit to stun superstar Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils, who missed 11 of their final 14 field goal attempts down the stretch.

Seven things you need to know from No. 19 Kentucky’s 77-72 win over No. 6 Duke in the Champions Classic at State Farm Arena: 1. Mark Pope’s first signature win. In his initial “big game” as Kentucky head man,

Kentucky got their first big win of the season over No. 6 Duke in the Champions Classic, and it was Mark Pope's first signature statement victory as head coach

With the score tied in the final seconds, the nation's most celebrated teenaged basketball prospect sensed it was his moment. Cooper Flagg got the mismatch he wanted against 6-foot-11 Andrew Sarr and prepared to attack him off the dribble.

No. 19 Kentucky got its first look at a big dog Tuesday with its game against No. 6 Duke, and by walking away from the Champions Classic clash with the 77-72 win, the Wildcats proved themselves to still be big dogs too.