The Duke Blue Devils kicked off their 2025–26 campaign in style with a 96–71 victory over UCF in a charity exhibition, but they did it without two of their most important players — senior forward Maliq Brown and freshman standout Dame Sarr.
Both are considered Duke’s defensive anchors, and their absence was felt early as the Blue Devils struggled to find their rhythm on that end of the floor. Miscommunication and missed switches led to a tighter first half than expected. But once Duke settled in, the defense looked sharper — outscoring UCF 56–32 in the second half to close out the win.
After the game, head coach Jon Scheyer offered a much-needed update on the health of both players — and his words brought relief to Duke fans everywhere.
“Those two are as good defensively as anyone we’ve got,” Scheyer said. “Maliq can guard one through five; Dame can switch across the perimeter with ease. Their versatility means a lot to how we play. Offensively, they’re both connectors — they make everyone around them better.”
According to Scheyer, Brown recently underwent a minor knee procedure but is recovering well, while Sarr has been dealing with an oblique strain suffered during practice. “Neither injury is serious,” Scheyer confirmed. “Maliq could’ve played if we really needed him to, but we’re being smart. Dame’s close to returning — hopefully back in practice this week.”
Brown, who played through multiple shoulder injuries last season, remains a vital part of Duke’s veteran core, while Sarr — expected to start at small forward — has impressed the staff with his defensive instincts and length.
The Blue Devils are set for one final exhibition game on Sunday, October 26, against Tennessee, and while it’s unclear if either player will suit up, Scheyer’s message was clear: both are on the mend, and Duke’s full-strength defense isn’t far away.
