Duke’s first loss of the season didn’t change the bigger picture: this is still one of the most talented teams in college basketball. But the 79-73 defeat to No. 5 Michigan State in Tuesday night’s State Farm Champions Classic also served as a reminder that the Blue Devils are still sorting out who fits where.
That’s the reality with a roster this deep. There are plenty of capable players, plenty of possible lineups, and no obvious shortcut to figuring out the best combinations. Through three games, though, a few names have already climbed the ladder.
Patrick Ngongba may be the biggest one.
The 6-foot-11 center has been everywhere for Duke early on, and his numbers back it up. He’s averaging a team-high 16.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game, while also adding 2.7 assists a night. He has also been one of the most valuable players in the country by the metrics, sitting fourth nationally in Bayesian Performance Rating at EvanMiya and fifth in KenPom’s National Player of the Year standings.
Ngongba’s value goes beyond scoring. He’s one of Duke’s best passers and is expected to take on more responsibility as a creator for teammates this season.
He has already attempted seven threes and made two, though most of his offense will still come around the rim. The Paul VI product put up a career-high 28 points against Coastal Carolina last week.
If Ngongba had entered the 2026 NBA Draft, he likely would have been a first-round pick. Instead, he’s opened 2026-27 looking like maybe the most important piece in a loaded rotation.
Deron Rippey Jr. has also forced his way into the picture.
Before the season, it was fair to wonder how much run the 5-star freshman would get with three veteran guards already in the mix. But Rippey has made it clear he belongs on the floor, and he’s been productive every time he’s gotten the chance.
The Brooklyn native is averaging 5.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 37.5% from the field and taking a little more than five shots a night. He’s already taken noticeable steps as a perimeter defender, can stretch the floor from deep, and brings some of the best pure athleticism on the roster.
He may never be a 30-minute-a-night player, but that doesn’t matter much in a backcourt this crowded. Rippey has earned a steady role, and he has played at least 12 minutes in all three games this season.
Then there’s Sebastian Wilkins, who has become one of the most useful bench pieces on the team by doing the little things that matter most.
The redshirt freshman hasn’t been chasing his own numbers. He’s just helping Duke win possessions, and that’s made him hard to keep off the floor. After waiting a year for his opportunity, he’s turning into a major part of what Jon Scheyer and Co. are building.
Wilkins is averaging 6.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Against Michigan State, he gave Duke nine points, two offensive rebounds, and a block in 19 minutes.
At 6-foot-8, Wilkins brings versatility on defense, can hit outside shots when needed, can pass, and plays with a motor that never seems to shut off. His impact won’t always jump off the stat sheet, but through three games, there haven’t been many Blue Devils who have helped winning more than Wilkins.
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Duke Leaves Miami With One Huge Bright Spot And One Bigger Worry
Duke left Hard Rock Stadium with the kind of split result that can define a November afternoon: a 36-25 loss to Miami, but also a milestone performance from Nate Sheppard that stood out even in defeat. The running back broke Dukes single-season rushing record and kept the Blue Devils moving offensively, giving them one clear bright spot to take out of a game that otherwise got away.
Kyon Louds non-contact injury, though, is the kind of development that can linger far beyond one loss. Dukes top cornerback went down during the game, and the timing could hardly be worse with Clemson next on the schedule. For a defense already trying to regroup after Miamis offense found enough room to control the night, Louds status now looms as the bigger concern. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Kept Its NCAA Run Alive With A Thrilling Finish
Dukes NCAA run stayed alive in dramatic fashion, as the Blue Devils edged seventh-seeded Iowa 3-2 in overtime in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Championship. Junior Ashley Stockdale powered the offense with two goals, giving Duke just enough to survive a tense opening-round test and keep its postseason hopes moving forward.
The victory sends Duke to the NCAA quarterfinals for the fourth straight season, a run that reflects how consistently this program has handled the pressure of November hockey. Stockdales overtime finish gave the Blue Devils the kind of breakthrough moment teams chase this time of year, and it leaves Duke with another chance to build on a familiar postseason stage. [Read more 🡒]
Dukes Depth Just Sent A Warning Before The Illinois Test
Patrick Ngongba gave Duke a little of everything in a lopsided 90-47 win over SIU-Edwardsville, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and five blocks in a performance that showed how many ways the Blue Devils can hurt an opponent. It was also the kind of night that underscored the teams balance, with six players scoring in double figures and Caleb Foster and Dame Sarr adding 12 points apiece.
Cayden Boozer chipped in a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Dukes defense kept the game from ever feeling competitive by controlling the glass and forcing 19 turnovers. For a team that is about to face a much stiffer test against Illinois, the bigger takeaway may be how quickly the Blue Devils are finding production beyond the usual headline names. [Read more 🡒]