Duke’s preseason has made one thing clear: the Blue Devils are loaded, and the usual neat labels for starters and backups only go so far with this group.
Over three exhibition games, Duke looked every bit like the preseason favorite for the 2026-27 season. It opened with a 40-point scrimmage win over Belmont, followed that with a 39-point blowout of No.
8 Tennessee, then closed the run by knocking off No. 17 Kansas 90-84 at Allen Fieldhouse on Sunday.
That’s the kind of preseason stretch that doesn't just hint at depth - it shouts it.
The point guard spot is the one area that still has some movement to it, though even there, the bigger truth is that Duke may not care much who technically gets the first nod. Caleb Foster missed most of preseason action with an ankle injury, but he still got 15 minutes against Kansas.
Cayden Boozer, meanwhile, was one of the biggest winners of the preseason. He posted 10 assists against two turnovers, defended at a high level, and handled the point guard role extremely well.
The 6-foot-4 sophomore showed major growth on both ends, and if he ends up coming off the bench, he could still be the best backup guard in college basketball.
Then there’s Deron Rippey Jr., who gave Duke a glimpse of just how dangerous its backcourt can be. The 5-star rookie scored a game-high 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting in 21 minutes against Tennessee, and he brought elite perimeter defense and rare athleticism with him.
Foster brings experience and leadership from years in the program and big-game moments, so there’s a case for him starting. But the Blue Devils can legitimately throw out three point guards who’d start for a championship-level team.
John Blackwell’s role is much more straightforward. The Wisconsin transfer is locked into the starting lineup, and for good reason.
He’s the best pure scorer on the roster, but he also impacts games with defense, passing, and cutting. What stood out in the preseason was that he didn’t try to force a nightly leading-scorer identity.
He had his moments, but he let the game come to him. Even so, he still looks like the guy most likely to lead Duke in scoring, especially when things tighten up late.
The wing and frontcourt picture is where Duke really starts to bend the idea of a traditional rotation. The Blue Devils have so many players who can slide between the three, four, and even the five without giving up much in length, switchability, or shooting. That flexibility is a major reason this roster feels so deep.
Howard remains one of the more intriguing pieces because his exact role is still unsettled. Offensively, he has plenty of skill, and at 6-foot-4 he has enough frame to help on the defensive end in more than one way.
The swing factor is his outside shot. He went 2-of-9 from deep across the three preseason games, which is not much to go on, but it does underline the one area that could shape how much he plays.
Sebastian Wilkins looks like the clearest backup option at the three. He’s a 6-foot-8 defender who brings versatility, a usable outside shot, and the kind of energy that shows up play after play.
He should factor in heavily, and so should Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje and Williams, both of whom can move between the three and four without much issue. Boumtje Boumtje was one of the preseason standouts, and his polished offensive game, along with encouraging defensive versatility against Kansas, made a strong impression.
Sarr may have been Duke’s biggest riser in preseason action. There’s a real possibility he turns into the Blue Devils’ best all-around player and finishes as the team’s leader in minutes. Even with that kind of upside, the staff still has plenty of options across the front line.
At the four and five, the versatility continues. Scharnowski is positioned to take over the kind of job Maliq Brown handled over the last two seasons.
He’s a high-end defender with active hands, the ability to guard all five spots, advanced passing for a big, and real value in the pick-and-roll. Most of his scoring will come close to the rim, but when he’s healthy, he should be one of Duke’s most important two-way players.
Patrick Ngongba and 4-star rookie Maxime Meyer are the only true centers on the roster, though Meyer is more of a long-range project than someone ready for heavy minutes right away. Duke will still use lineups with Scharnowski, Boumtje Boumtje, or Williams at center, but Ngongba looks like the most natural anchor.
The junior had his first huge outing against Kansas, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists on 9-of-12 shooting. Health remains the key, but he changed his frame during the offseason, and it showed in the way he created space at the rim with his body and footwork.
His passing also took a noticeable step forward in 2025-26, and that growth should continue this season.
In Other News...
Duke Fans Have One Huge Reason To Watch Asa Montgomery Today
There is plenty happening around Duke right now, but the spotlight today is on the recruiting trail, where five-star small forward Asa Montgomery is expected to announce his college commitment. For a program that keeps landing in the conversation for elite talent, this is the kind of decision that can shape both the immediate future and the long view, especially with the Blue Devils already carrying momentum from a roster that includes names like Kager Knueppel and Luke Paul.
The timing adds to the buzz, too, with former Duke standouts Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer off to strong starts in the NBA and the football program gearing up for a key home game against Boston College during a demanding stretch. Still, for basketball fans, Montgomerys announcement is the headline worth circling, because it could give Duke another major piece to build around and keep the programs talent pipeline rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Freshmen Just Gave Jon Scheyer A Real Rotation Problem
Duke is coming out of preseason with something every coach wants and every rotation chart hates: options. As the Blue Devils get ready to host Army in their regular-season opener, a handful of freshmen have already made the case that they belong in the mix, with Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, Deron Rippey Jr., Cameron Williams and Bryson Howard all showing different flashes of what they can bring. For Jon Scheyer, the early challenge is less about finding talent than figuring out how to sort through it.
The upside is obvious, but so is the uncertainty that comes with freshmen learning the pace and demands of college basketball. Some of those roles figure to change from game to game as Duke settles in, which gives the staff flexibility but also creates a tricky balancing act once the games start counting. The opener should offer a first real look at how much trust Scheyer is willing to place in that young group right away. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Faces A Real Test As Boston College Brings New Momentum
Boston College is showing up to this Atlantic Coast Conference matchup with a little more life than its record might suggest, and Duke will have to be ready for it. The Eagles have pieced together back-to-back comeback wins, leaning on the kind of late-game resilience that can change the feel of a season, and now they get their first meeting with Duke since 2022 in a game that should tell both teams something.
For the Blue Devils, the timing is interesting after a close win over Virginia, the kind of game that can either sharpen a team or leave it vulnerable if the edge slips. Duke will be watching its own health as well, with Walker Eget expected to play despite a recent finger injury, while Boston College brings Mason McKenzie, Bo MacCormack III and a bit of momentum into a matchup that suddenly looks more demanding than it might have a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]