On paper, the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils’ 70-54 victory over Pittsburgh Tuesday night looked like a routine ACC road win. But for fans, analysts, and anyone watching closely, the conversation wasn’t just about the scoreboard — it was about the glimpses of vulnerability, the lineup experiments, and the emerging role players that may shape Duke’s season down the stretch.
A Win That Wasn’t Pretty
Duke (22-2, 11-1 ACC) came off a heartbreaker against North Carolina, a last-second defeat that left fans reeling. Expectations were high for a “loaded for bear” performance in Pittsburgh, but the early moments told a different story. Pitt jumped out to a 9-4 lead, forcing Coach Jon Scheyer to burn an early timeout. Duke looked flat, sluggish, and out of sync — a far cry from their usual dominant floor execution.
Even with the win, the Blue Devils struggled with turnovers, sloppy half-court sets, and defensive lapses. Cameron Boozer, the ACC’s leading scorer, managed 17 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t his typical lights-out performance. Duke’s offense had fits of inconsistency, and it was clear the team was still processing the emotional aftermath of the UNC loss.
Evans Emerges as a Go-To Option
The story of the night was Isaiah Evans. The freshman guard erupted in the second half, scoring 14 points after halftime and hitting all four of his three-point attempts. His 21-point performance was a masterclass in timing and confidence, and it came at the perfect moment to stabilize Duke’s offense.
“Evans stepped up in a key way,” Scheyer said postgame. “He’s learning how to take control when the team needs him, and tonight was one of those moments.”
Caleb Foster also chipped in 14 points and anchored Duke’s dominance on the glass. Together, Foster and Dame Sarr helped Duke outrebound Pitt 37-23 and secure a 36-22 edge in points in the paint, giving the Blue Devils the physical advantage needed to pull away.
Adjustments Without Ngongba
Perhaps the most talked-about storyline isn’t scoring or defense — it’s the absence of Patrick Ngongba II. The 6-foot-11 sophomore center, dealing with a wrist injury, was unavailable for the game, forcing Scheyer to adjust his rotations and give extended minutes to players who hadn’t seen much time this season.
Freshman Nik Khamenia made the most of the opportunity. One sequence in the first half perfectly encapsulated his hustle: he missed a three, chased down the long rebound, missed another attempt, grabbed a second board, and scored on a layup. That’s four extra points generated entirely by effort.
Sophomore Darren Harris, who hadn’t played against UNC, also saw extended minutes. His timely three-pointer late in the first half helped Duke maintain its lead and kept the Panthers at bay.
Scheyer praised all eight players who saw the floor: “Everyone contributed in a meaningful way tonight.”
Pitt’s Fight Keeps Fans Engaged
Despite injuries and a tough schedule, Pitt (9-16, 2-10 ACC) didn’t fold. Roman Siulepa, a 6-6 freshman from Australia, scored 19 points and made key baskets inside and out, keeping the Panthers within striking distance early. Barry Dunning Jr. added perimeter shooting, helping Pitt hit seven three-pointers in the first half.
But Duke’s adjustments and interior dominance eventually told the story. Pitt’s three-point shooting cooled dramatically after halftime, and Duke steadily built a double-digit lead, never looking back.
Turnovers and Tough Moments Highlight Depth
The game was messy at times, and both teams struggled with turnovers — Duke had 13, Pitt 12. Boozer’s wild out-of-bounds pass while double-teamed and a mishandled lob from Pitt’s Nojus Indrusaitis underscored the game’s chaotic moments. There was even a near deja-vu moment from the UNC game: as the first half ended, a last-second shot from Pitt was ruled to leave 0.6 seconds on the clock, forcing a quick restart that produced no points.
These sloppy stretches, however, also highlighted Duke’s depth. When the starters faltered, the bench stepped in. When plays broke down, Evans, Khamenia, and Harris picked up the slack.
What Fans Are Really Talking About
In the postgame discussion, fans weren’t focused on the 16-point margin. They were talking about depth, resilience, and emerging stars. Who will step up if Ngongba remains out for Saturday’s game against No. 20 Clemson? Can Evans continue to carry the scoring load? Is Khamenia poised to earn a bigger role in critical moments?
The win counts. The record improves. But for Duke fans, the bigger takeaway is what the game revealed about the team’s ability to adapt, the roles players can fill, and how the Blue Devils might respond when the stakes are highest.
Tuesday’s victory was about more than the W. It was a glimpse into the potential — and the questions — that lie ahead for Duke basketball.
