There’s a difference between winning a game and making a statement. And when Duke walked off the floor after an 83–76 victory over No. 18 Tennessee, the scoreboard didn’t just tell the story of a solid exhibition win — it revealed a warning for every team on their schedule this season.
Because Duke didn’t just beat Tennessee. They exposed what might be the biggest problem for anyone who faces them: this team’s ceiling is terrifyingly high.
From the opening tip, Tennessee tried to do what it does best — bully teams in the paint, slow the pace, and make it ugly. For most of the first half, it worked. Duke trailed 43–37 at halftime and looked like they were still searching for rhythm. Then, freshman Cameron Boozer decided enough was enough.
What followed was a masterclass in control. Boozer didn’t just score — he dictated the entire flow of the game. By the time the second half ended, the 6’9″ forward had piled up 24 points, 23 rebounds, and 6 assists, completely overwhelming Tennessee’s frontcourt. Every possession ran through him, every rebound seemed to find his hands, and every Duke run had his fingerprints all over it.
“Once he found his rhythm, there was nothing we could do,” one Tennessee player admitted afterward. And that’s the part that should send chills through the rest of college basketball — Boozer isn’t even at full speed yet.
But it wasn’t just Boozer. Isaiah Evans flashed his scoring instincts with 22 points, including several clutch buckets that turned the tide in Duke’s favor. Patrick Nongba brought toughness and energy, contributing 15 points while anchoring the defense. Together, they gave Duke something most teams don’t have — multiple players who can take over in different ways.
That versatility is what separates this team. When the offense stalls, Boozer can dominate the glass and reset the tone. When defenses collapse on him, Evans can torch them from the perimeter. When energy dips, Nongba brings it back with his hustle. It’s a balance that most teams simply can’t match.
Head coach Jon Scheyer couldn’t have scripted it better. “It’s not about one guy,” he said after the game. “It’s about how they respond together. And tonight, they showed me something.”
What they showed him — and the rest of college basketball — is that Duke isn’t just talented. They’re resilient. They’re connected. And when they turn it on, they can overwhelm opponents in waves.
The Blue Devils will open their regular season on November 4 against Texas, and if this performance is any indication, they’re entering the season not just as contenders — but as a team capable of dismantling even the toughest competition.
Tennessee came in hoping to test Duke’s youth and chemistry. Instead, they left with the same realization every other team should have right now:
When Duke locks in, there’s no real way to stop them — only ways to survive.
