Duke vs. Clemson: Blue Devils Flash Frontcourt Firepower in First-Half Battle at Cameron Indoor
Cameron Indoor was buzzing on Valentine’s Day, and it wasn’t just the rivalry heat. Duke’s young core brought the energy early, with forward Cameron Boozer making his presence felt in the paint. Midway through the first half, Boozer muscled in a bucket and was immediately greeted by teammate Dame Sarr-an early sign of the chemistry this Blue Devils squad is starting to build.
That frontcourt tandem, headlined by Boozer and supported by Patrick Ngongba II, gave Clemson plenty to think about. Boozer’s physicality and touch around the rim stood out, but it was Ngongba’s defensive positioning that quietly helped anchor Duke’s interior. On multiple possessions, he was tasked with slowing down Clemson forward RJ Godfrey, who came out aggressive and looked to attack the rim at every opportunity.
Godfrey didn’t shy away from the challenge. The Clemson forward was active on both ends, getting downhill and challenging Duke’s length inside.
At one point in the first half, he drove hard to the basket against Ngongba, drawing contact and still managing to get a shot up. Moments later, he rose over the Duke big man for a clean jumper, showing off his versatility and confidence.
Clemson’s backcourt chipped in as well, with guard Ace Buckner finding ways to get into the lane. He had a slick finish at the rim over Duke’s Isaiah Evans, weaving through traffic and laying it in with finesse. Buckner’s ability to penetrate added a layer of pressure on Duke’s perimeter defense, forcing the Blue Devils to rotate quickly and communicate effectively.
On the other end, Duke’s guards were steady. Caleb Foster, in particular, had his hands full trying to contain Godfrey when the Clemson forward stepped out to the perimeter. Foster stayed active, contesting shots and fighting through screens, but Godfrey’s size and footwork created matchup problems that Duke had to adjust to.
It was a first half filled with intensity, physical play, and flashes of star potential on both sides. Duke leaned on its frontcourt depth and home-court energy, while Clemson countered with fearless drives and tough shot-making. The game had the feel of a classic ACC battle-gritty, fast-paced, and full of young talent learning how to win in high-pressure moments.
With both teams trading punches early, the stage is set for a second half that could come down to execution and composure. If the first 20 minutes were any indication, there’s no shortage of either on the floor at Cameron Indoor.