When Duke Basketball takes the floor tonight against Florida, it’s more than just a battle of two top-tier programs-it’s a statement game. The Blue Devils are chasing a 9-0 start and a fourth Quad 1 win, and they’re doing it under the bright lights of the ACC-SEC Challenge, with the defending national champions on the other side of the court.
And make no mistake, this one’s been circled on the calendar. Duke is going all-in on the atmosphere, calling for a “Blackout Tuesday” inside Cameron Indoor. The program’s been pushing it hard on social media ever since their Thanksgiving night win over Arkansas, and the message is clear: wear black, bring the energy.
“‘Blackout Tuesday,’ man,” junior guard Caleb Foster said in a video posted by the team. “Y’all got to be there. All black.”
The Blue Devils are 1-0 in their black uniforms this season, and they’re hoping that mojo carries over into tonight’s primetime showdown.
But while the spotlight is on the court, there’s plenty happening off it, too-especially on the recruiting front. Duke is hosting its top target in the 2026 class, five-star guard Jordan Smith from Paul VI High School, for another unofficial visit. This will be Smith’s second trip to Durham this year, and it comes just days after he opened his senior season with a monster performance: 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in a 50-point blowout win on November 29.
Smith won’t be coming alone, either. He’ll be accompanied by Paul VI head coach Glenn Farello, who knows Duke’s system well-he coached current Blue Devil big man Patrick Ngongba and reserve wing Darren Harris during their high school days.
At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Smith is the No. 2 overall player in the country and the top-ranked combo guard in the 2026 class, per both 247Sports and the 247Sports Composite. He’s yet to make a college decision, having skipped the early signing period, and is expected to commit in the spring. Right now, Duke is locked in a competitive battle with Georgetown, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Indiana for his signature.
But make no mistake-Duke’s been all-in on Smith for a while. Head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff made a clear choice early this year to back off other combo guard targets and focus fully on Smith. That kind of commitment speaks volumes.
Why the full-court press? According to recruiting analyst Adam Finkelstein, Smith is the kind of player who changes everything.
“There may not be a player in high school basketball who impacts winning in more ways or with the same consistency as Jordan Smith,” Finkelstein said. “The Paul VI and Team Takeover guard has terrific physical tools and even better competitive intangibles that allow him to change the game on both ends of the floor.”
Physically, Smith is built for the next level. He’s long and powerful with a 6-foot-8.5 wingspan, a strong frame, and the kind of athleticism that shows up on both ends.
Defensively, he’s a menace-able to switch, rebound, and lock down multiple positions. Offensively, he’s a downhill force who’s added layers to his game, becoming a true dual-threat guard who can play on or off the ball.
Also expected in the building tonight is Princeton transfer Caden Pierce, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward who averaged 11.9 points and 7.9 rebounds over three seasons in the Ivy League. Pierce is redshirting this year and has already entered the transfer portal for next season, making tonight a key opportunity for both sides to get a feel for fit.
So yes, there’s a big game happening tonight-but for Duke, this is about more than just 40 minutes of basketball. It’s a showcase, a recruiting pitch, and a chance to show the college hoops world that the Blue Devils are building something serious, both now and for the future.