Duke Shows Grit at the Garden in Hard-Fought Battle Against Texas Tech
Under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, the Duke Blue Devils and Texas Tech Red Raiders squared off in a high-energy clash that lived up to the billing. The setting was the SentinelOne Showdown, but this one felt more like March than December. From the opening tip, it was clear: neither team came to New York to ease into the holiday break.
Cameron Boozer, the highly touted Duke freshman, wasted no time making his presence felt. The forward attacked the rim with purpose, navigating through the Red Raiders’ physical frontcourt that featured JT Toppin and Lejuan Watts.
Boozer’s aggression in the paint set the tone early, absorbing contact and finishing strong or drawing fouls that sent him to the line. Texas Tech didn’t back down, though.
Their interior defense was active, forcing Duke to earn every bucket in traffic.
On the perimeter, Duke guard Isaiah Evans looked poised beyond his years. Matched up against Donovan Atwell, Evans showed off his smooth shooting stroke and ability to create space. Whether curling off screens or pulling up in transition, he gave the Blue Devils a steady offensive option when the paint got crowded.
But Texas Tech brought their own brand of toughness. Toppin was a force on both ends, contesting shots at the rim and battling for rebounds with a motor that never slowed.
Guard Christian Anderson added pressure on the perimeter, closing out hard and disrupting passing lanes. The Red Raiders’ defense was relentless, and they made Duke work for every look.
The game had its physical moments, too. Caleb Foster, Duke’s dynamic guard, found himself on the floor after a collision with Toppin in the first half.
It was a brief but telling snapshot of the kind of intensity this game carried. No easy buckets.
No free passes.
This was a matchup that tested Duke’s young core. Boozer, Evans, and Foster are all part of a new generation of Blue Devils who are learning the grind of high-level college basketball in real time.
Facing a battle-tested Texas Tech squad in an arena as iconic as Madison Square Garden? That’s a crash course in pressure and poise.
For Texas Tech, the game was a showcase of their defensive identity. They may not have the flashiest offense, but they make life miserable for opponents with their grit, length, and discipline. Every Duke possession felt like a grind, and that’s exactly how the Red Raiders want it.
The final result aside, this game offered a glimpse into two programs built on toughness and high expectations. Duke’s young stars are growing into their roles, while Texas Tech continues to prove they’re a team no one should overlook come tournament time.
In a season full of marquee matchups, this one stood out-not just for the setting, but for the way both teams left it all on the court. December basketball doesn’t always feel like March, but at the Garden, this one came close.