4-point play: Instant analysis on Duke's win vs. Michigan State

INDIANAPOLIS – Breaking down Duke's 81-71 victory against Michigan State in the Champions Classic.

HOW DUKE WON: Let's get this out of the way: This is going to be a really enjoyable team to watch this season, at least offensively. Duke's freshman class is exquisite – and not just the crown jewel of the recruiting class, Jahlil Okafor, who shot 8-for-10 from the field and scored 17 points. Justise Winslow had more than a couple highlight-reel worthy moves, and Tyus Jones sunk the biggest shot of the night (a three from the top of the key, while being fouled) to put Duke up 13 late.

Michigan State hung around all night, keeping the game closer than many thought it'd be. The main reason? Offensive rebounding. Tom Izzo's group is good on the glass, per usual, and when you're rebounding half your misses — as they were doing at one point, midway through the second half — you're going to be in any game.

But ultimately, Duke's offense proved too difficult to match. There was one stretch, kicked off ironically by Okafor picking up his fourth foul and heading to the bench, that put the game out of reach for Michigan State. Okafor picked up that foul with 8:59 to play, and the Blue Devils promptly went on a 6-0 run (capped by Jones' four-point play) to stretch their lead to 13. The Spartans kept fighting, but couldn't close the gap after that.

STAR WATCH: Okafor was and is the biggest name in this game, the first of Tuesday night's marquee doubleheader. And to be blunt, he's as skilled as advertised. He did to Michigan State what he was expected to – which is to say he did whatever he wanted when he had the ball. Duke has the kind of size — Okafor is 6-11 — it hasn't had in awhile. Bold, but not really such a bold prediction: Okafor will be in the running for National Player of the Year.

THE BIG PICTURE: The season has just begun, and it's a long one. One November loss never makes or breaks a team's season – especially not teams of this caliber. With Tom Izzo at the helm, early-season Michigan State never quite looks like late-season Michigan State anyway. The Spartans will be fine by the time Big Ten play begins, and they'll be like most of their league brethren -- a team with a lot of new pieces still trying to find the right rhythm.

The flip side is, there's a ton to like about this Duke team right now. Sure, if you're a Duke fan, you want to see better rebounding and significant defensive improvement from last year. But this offense is multi-faceted, dangerous and extremely entertaining. Okafor will get a lot of headlines, but Winslow may be the key — the versatile player drawing James Harden comparisons who will take these Blue Devils to a new level. This Duke team has a higher ceiling than last year's Jabari Parker-led squad.

AND-1: Duke shots 50% from beyond the arc (7-for-14). Michigan State, meanwhile, was just 25% (5-for-20).