Duke Dominates Syracuse in Statement Win Ahead of Clash with No. 1 Michigan
If there was any concern that Duke might overlook Syracuse with a heavyweight showdown against top-ranked Michigan looming, the Blue Devils erased those doubts in a hurry. What could’ve been a trap game turned into a full-on rout as No. 3 Duke dismantled Syracuse, 101-64, at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a wire-to-wire statement. Duke (24-2, 13-1 ACC) looked every bit the national title contender, controlling the game from the opening tip and never letting up. Syracuse hung around early, but the Blue Devils slammed the door shut with an 11-0 run to close the first half, turning a tight five-point margin into a commanding 40-24 lead.
And if the first half was a problem for the Orange, the second half was a full-on collapse.
Despite Syracuse actually shooting a respectable 50% from the field and 54.5% from beyond the arc after the break, they still got outscored by 21 points. That’s because Duke’s offense went nuclear-shooting an absurd 71.9% from the floor and 75% from three in the second half. Those are video game numbers.
Freshman forward Cameron Boozer set the tone early, racking up a double-double before halftime and finishing with 22 points and 12 rebounds. He was a force on both ends, anchoring Duke’s dominance in the paint and on the glass.
Isaiah Evans kept his hot hand going, pouring in 21 points with his usual blend of smooth shooting and confident drives. Nik Khamenia came alive in the second half, adding 14 points-12 of them after the break-including three triples that helped bury any hope of a Syracuse comeback.
Pat Ngongba and Cayden Boozer each chipped in 12 points, and the most impressive part? No Duke player logged more than 27 minutes. That’s the kind of efficiency and depth coaches dream about-especially with a marquee matchup on deck.
This win marks Duke’s 11th straight over Syracuse, a streak that reflects just how far apart these programs have drifted in recent years. Once a fierce ACC rivalry, the matchup has lost its edge as Syracuse continues to slide in the standings. At 15-12 overall and 6-8 in the ACC, the Orange are facing tough questions about the direction of the program, and those questions may only get louder in the coming weeks.
For Duke, though, the focus shifts to Saturday night in Washington, D.C., where they’ll face No. 1 Michigan in a game that could have major NCAA Tournament seeding implications. After that, it’s a four-game sprint to the finish line in conference play, starting with a trip to Notre Dame next Tuesday.
But if Monday night was any indication, this Duke team is locked in-and ready for whatever comes next.