When Duke took the floor against No. 18 Tennessee, most fans expected to see flashes of promise — maybe some chemistry tests, maybe a few freshman mistakes. What they didn’t expect was a performance so dominant that even NBA scouts in attendance couldn’t stop talking about it.
After the game, one scout’s words started making the rounds, and Duke fans everywhere couldn’t help but nod in agreement. “This team has multiple pros — and they’re figuring it out faster than anyone thought.”
That simple observation said it all. Duke’s 83–76 win over Tennessee wasn’t just another exhibition victory. It was a sneak preview of what could make this Blue Devils squad dangerous once the season begins.
Leading the way — as he seems to do every time he steps on the floor — was Cameron Boozer, the freshman forward whose poise and power are already turning heads beyond college basketball. Boozer posted a staggering 24 points, 23 rebounds, and 6 assists, controlling every inch of the court with the kind of authority usually reserved for seasoned upperclassmen. His rebounding dominance and court vision didn’t just help Duke erase a halftime deficit — it made the Volunteers look helpless trying to stop him.
“He looks like a guy who could play in the NBA right now,” the same scout reportedly said. “He’s not just talented — he’s wired differently. The confidence, the physicality, the motor… it’s rare.”
But Boozer wasn’t the only one who stood out. Freshman wing Isaiah Evans chipped in 22 points, flashing elite scoring instincts and shot creation, while Patrick Nongba played with toughness and versatility, adding 15 points and several key stops down the stretch. Together, the trio gave Duke a balanced attack that felt more like midseason form than early exhibition.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, Tennessee — known for its defensive toughness — had no answers. Duke outworked, outshot, and outlasted them, and perhaps most importantly, showed a glimpse of a chemistry that’s still developing but already frighteningly good.
Head coach Jon Scheyer wasn’t ready to feed into the hype just yet, but even he admitted he saw something special. “We’re still learning, still growing,” Scheyer said postgame. “But you can feel it with this group — the way they compete, the way they connect. They love to play for each other.”
For Duke fans, that’s music to their ears. The Tennessee win didn’t just showcase individual star power — it revealed the potential for something deeper. A young, talented, unselfish group that’s beginning to understand how good it can be.
As the regular season opener against Texas on November 4 approaches, that NBA scout’s words are still echoing: “Multiple pros.”
And if Duke keeps playing like this, he might not just be right — he might be underselling it.
