The last time Duke was in Indianapolis they lost a tough NCAA battle to Louisville.  Just before that loss, they won the national title in Indy where they will once again play tonight.  Make no mistake about it, when Duke travels to Indy the games are always big and tonight's early season match up with Michigan State is no different.

It'll surely be a grand moment tonight for Duke Assistant Coach Jon Scheyer, who was on that special 2010 title team.  But the emphasis will not be on past memories, no matter how wonderful they are, but the future of Duke Basketball.

For the first time this evening, the vaunted freshman class and 2014-15 Blue Devils will be on a big stage.  The nations eyes will be checking out how they fare away from Cameron in this early season marquee matchup of traditional powers.  How Duke responds may give one an early idea if they can return to Indy again come April, for this is where he Final Four will be played.

Once Duke Coach Mike Krzyewski tames the many good ghosts of titles past, his focus will be to make new memories.  By now, the team has heard the many stories from Indy.  But now, it's time to see how this newer version of Blue Devils will handle the spotlight.

If the two early season games in Cameron that Duke has played to date are an indication, the Blue Devils will be ready.  Duke has been an offensive machine to date, but the Spartans are known for their tough defense and this will truly be a test against physically strong opponents for the freshman.  Michigan State will also seek to slow this game down and keep it in the sixties.

Despite the great starts from Winslow, Okafor and the rest, look for veteran Blue Devils to play a key role if Duke is to win.  Never will it be more important for captains Quinn Cook, the lone senior and Amile Jefferson to lead by example.

There have been several match ups past between these two solid programs.  In those games, Duke has had recent success not having lost to Michigan State since 2005.  The Spartans rode a career high 25 points from senior Travis Trice to win their opener against Navy.  As expected coming into the season, Branden Dawson helped in the win at Navy as well.

The Spartans are currently ranked 19th in the country, but if Duke can implement their will or pace, this should be a win.  Still, you can bet that Mike Krzyzewski is not taking any Tom Izzo coached team lightly.  Duke will seek to pick up the pace and go to what seems to be a deeper bench.

Unlike seasons past, Duke can press and trap with a true center in Jahlil Okafor staying home.  The Blue Devils also have a knack for early season success under Krzyzewski in big games and by nights end, I see Duke winning their third consecutive game.

Krzyzweski will undoubtedly make it a point before leaving Indianapolis that the goal is to return to the venue where the Final Four will be held.  And this seasons team has a shot but it's long, long ways until March Madness and a very top-heavy and tough ACC slate is in the future.

In the past, the coach seeking his 1000th win this season, likes to treat games coming this week as tournaments.  He might treat tonight's game like a regional final.  Later in the week against Temple and then Stanford or UNLV he might seek to simulate a final four or regional setting.

Having a coach who has been there before bodes well for Duke tonight, but it will come down to the players performing  and continuing to mesh together as a cohesive unit.

I feel like Duke will push the ball at will early on and that pace will make it tough for the Spartans to catch up.  For entertainment purpose only, the game line went from Duke by 3.5 to 7.

The pick here is Duke 79 Michigan State 65