The season hasn’t tipped off yet, but things are already getting fiery in Durham. Reports from inside Duke’s practice facility say the Blue Devils’ workouts have turned into full-on battles — with intensity levels that feel more like midseason than preseason. And in the middle of it all, one surprise name is making a serious push for the starting lineup.
Practices That Feel Like Games
Multiple insiders have described the last week of Duke practices as “chippy” and “competitive,” with players diving for loose balls, talking trash, and refusing to back down. For head coach Jon Scheyer, this is exactly what he wants — a roster full of highly ranked recruits and proven veterans who are competing every day for minutes.
“It’s not just drills anymore,” one team observer noted. “These are real battles. Guys know that starting spots aren’t locked in, and it’s showing.”
The Starters We Expect
Coming into the year, most projections had Duke starting:
Caleb Foster at point guard
Isaiah Evans on the wing
Cameron Boozer in the forward spot
Patrick Ngongba II at center
One of Duke’s other perimeter weapons rounding out the five
That’s a stacked group, with talent at every position. But after the way practice has gone, it might not look exactly like that when opening night arrives.
The Surprise Name — Maliq Brown
Word is that Maliq Brown, the 6’9” forward who transferred into the program, is turning heads. Long viewed as more of a defensive energy guy than a star scorer, Brown has been winning key matchups in practice. His toughness in the paint, ability to guard multiple positions, and relentless rebounding have made him hard to ignore.
Teammates say Brown brings the kind of physical edge that sets the tone in practice — and coaches love it. In a team full of five-star recruits, it’s Brown’s grit and consistency that’s forcing the staff to rethink the starting five.
Why It Matters for Duke
If Brown carves out a starting spot, Duke’s lineup could look very different than expected:
It would give the Blue Devils a defensive-minded anchor who thrives in the dirty-work role.
It could free up Boozer and Evans to focus more on offense, knowing Brown will handle the gritty details.
It sends a message to the team: practice effort matters as much as recruiting rankings.
What to Watch Next
Duke’s Blue-White scrimmage and early non-conference games will be the first chance for fans to see how serious this shift is. If Brown is announced with the starters — or if he’s closing games late — it’ll confirm what insiders have been saying: practice battles have gotten heated, and Brown’s intensity is paying off.
For now, the message is clear: in Durham, nobody’s spot is safe. And that might be the best thing to happen to the Blue Devils before the season even tips off.
