Duke didn’t just beat Tennessee in its latest exhibition look - it walked into a matchup against a preseason top-10 team and made it look routine. After an early 15-0 surge, the Blue Devils were in full control and rolled to a 101-64 win on Tuesday.
The numbers tell the story fast. Duke shot 53% from the field, had six players finish in double figures, and never let Tennessee find any rhythm. For a team that had already blown past Belmont by 30-plus points earlier in exhibition play, this was another loud statement.
The most eye-catching performance came from Deron Rippey. With Caleb Foster still out, Rippey seized his chance in the backcourt and led all scorers with 21 points off the bench.
He did it efficiently, going 9-for-12 from the field. That kind of night matters in a crowded guard room, where minutes won’t come easy once everyone is healthy.
John Blackwell’s 18 points still make him the clear lead guard, but Rippey put himself right in the mix with Foster and Cayden Boozer for more run.
What stands out just as much is how Duke handled Tennessee defensively. The Vols came into the game with plenty of scoring options, including five players who averaged 15-plus points per game at different spots, but none of that translated on Tuesday.
Duke held Tennessee to 34% shooting and stayed on top of them from start to finish. The Blue Devils brought back proven defenders like Dame Sarr and Patrick Ngongba, and the newcomers have clearly embraced the standard on that end of the floor too.
There was also a useful frontcourt development for Duke. With five-star freshman forward Cameron Williams dealing with a recent illness, redshirt freshman Sebastian Wilkins took advantage of the opening.
He scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds off the bench, continuing his push as a rotation piece. If Williams gets back up to speed, Duke’s frontcourt picture only gets deeper, with Ngongba and Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje already leading the starting group.
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Rackley denies the allegations and is not facing criminal charges, but the case puts another layer of scrutiny on a program already caught in the shadow of serious accusations. He left his teaching position in November 2025, and the civil filing now raises questions that extend beyond the courtroom and into how Duke handles a staffer whose background has suddenly become part of a much larger public controversy. [Read more 🡒]
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Duke Faces A Costly Problem Ahead Of A Huge Virginia Game
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For Duke, the injury picture adds another layer of concern. The Blue Devils are already dealing with the absence of center Matt Craycraft and several important defensive pieces, a mix that can affect both the front line and the way the defense operates from snap to snap. Virginia has its own lengthy injury list, but for Duke, the challenge is making sure enough healthy bodies are available to handle a game that already feels like a turning point. [Read more 🡒]