With momentum swinging back in their favor, the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils are gearing up for a high-stakes showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium this Saturday, hosting the No. 20 Clemson Tigers - a team that’s turned more than a few heads in the ACC this season.
Duke is looking to stack wins again after a tough rivalry loss to North Carolina just under a week ago. That one stung - no doubt about it - but this group has shown time and again they know how to respond. And with Clemson coming to town, the Blue Devils have a chance to reassert their dominance in a game that’s not just about standings, but about statement-making.
Tipoff Details:
- 🗓 Date: Saturday, Feb.
13
- 🕛 Time: Noon ET
- 📍 Location: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC
- 📺 Watch: ESPN, fuboTV
- 📻 Listen: The Varsity Network
- 📊 Live Stats: GoDuke.com
This one kicks off a full day of college hoops on ESPN, setting the stage before UNC - still without standout Caleb Wilson - takes on Pitt later in the afternoon. But all eyes will be on Durham first, where the Cameron Crazies are expected to bring the noise in a big way.
Injury Report: Duke
The Blue Devils will likely be without sophomore center Patrick Ngongba II, who’s dealing with a left wrist injury that kept him sidelined against Pitt. His absence takes away a key interior presence, especially on the glass and defensively.
Also out for the season is center Ifeanyi Ufochukwu, while freshman guard Sebastian Wilkins continues to redshirt this year. That puts added pressure on Duke’s rotation, particularly in the frontcourt, to step up and fill the void.
Injury Report: Clemson
Clemson will also be without one of their own. Guard Zac Foster suffered a season-ending ACL injury back in December, and his absence has forced the Tigers to adjust their backcourt depth. So far, they’ve managed well, but in a game like this, every rotation piece matters.
Series Snapshot: Duke vs. Clemson
Last season, Clemson pulled off what was arguably their biggest win of the year - a six-point victory over Duke that handed the Blue Devils their only conference loss. That result still lingers, and you can bet it’s circled on Duke’s calendar.
Historically, though, Duke has owned this matchup. The Blue Devils have nearly tripled Clemson’s win total in the all-time series, and they’ve made Cameron a house of horrors for visiting ACC teams for decades. But this Clemson squad isn’t your typical underdog - they’ve earned that No. 20 ranking and come into Durham with confidence.
What to Watch
Expect Duke to come out with energy, especially after the UNC loss. The offense will look to push the tempo early, and with Ngongba likely out, don’t be surprised if Duke leans into smaller, quicker lineups to stretch the floor and create mismatches.
For Clemson, it’s about staying composed in a hostile environment. If they can control the pace, limit turnovers, and knock down shots from the perimeter, they’ve got a real shot to make this one interesting.
Bottom line: Saturday’s matchup is more than just a battle between two ranked teams. It’s a measuring stick for both programs as we hit the heart of ACC play.
For Duke, it’s a chance to show they’re still the team to beat. For Clemson, it’s another opportunity to prove they belong in the upper tier of the conference.
Tipoff can’t come soon enough.