Duke’s non-conference schedule is loaded again, but the most fascinating date on the calendar might be Dec. 21 at Madison Square Garden.
That’s when the Blue Devils are set to meet Texas Tech, a game that looked far less intimidating when the matchup was first announced after Duke swapped out its neutral-site date with Michigan for the Red Raiders. At that point, Texas Tech seemed like one of the more manageable high-major opponents on the slate. That outlook has changed fast.
Grant McCasland has rebuilt the roster through fifth-year signings, and if the pieces actually stick, Texas Tech could end up as one of the most explosive offenses in college basketball. The catch is that plenty of uncertainty still hangs over the whole operation.
The biggest swing came last week, when the Red Raiders brought back former standout forward Darrion Williams. He spent two seasons in Lubbock before transferring to NC State for the 2025-26 campaign, then turned in a huge 2024-25 season with Texas Tech, averaging 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 43.9% from the field and 34.0% from three on 4.1 attempts per game. He earned First Team All-Big 12 honors and helped Texas Tech reach the Elite Eight in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Then came another significant report on Monday: Donovan Atwell is returning for his fifth season. He was one of the Red Raiders’ most efficient and dangerous scorers last season, averaging 13.5 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 46.3% overall and 45.8% from deep on 8.4 attempts per game. Atwell also finished second in the Big 12 in made threes with 130 and in three-point percentage.
There’s still a giant asterisk on all of this. The fifth-year eligibility situation means these returns can’t be treated like finished business just yet, and it remains unclear which of these portal additions will actually be able to suit up in 2026-27. That uncertainty is exactly why Texas Tech is so intriguing.
If Williams, Atwell, and JT Toppin all end up in Lubbock and healthy, the Red Raiders would have a proven core with real firepower. Toppin’s status remains uncertain after the torn ACL he suffered in February, but his return would only raise the ceiling further.
McCasland also added more scoring punch from the portal. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn arrives from UNLV after averaging 20.7 points per game last season, shooting 49.7% from the field and 41.4% from three on 7.0 attempts. Cruz Davis comes in from Hofstra after putting up 20.1 points per game while shooting 44% overall and 40% from beyond the arc on 5.9 attempts.
With Williams and Atwell both having shot better than 40% from three last season on heavy volume, the shape of this roster is obvious: there’s plenty of offense here if the whole thing holds together. That’s what makes Duke-Texas Tech such a compelling early test.
Right now, Texas Tech looks like it could have a top-10 roster in college basketball. But that picture could change quickly, and the Red Raiders could be right back at square one depending on how the fifth-year eligibility decisions shake out. Whenever that gets settled, it will carry major weight for McCasland’s team.
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Manny Diaz has sounded encouraged by the groups ceiling, saying the defense has room to improve from last season while stressing that the unit has to grow together rather than lean on a few individuals. The challenge now is turning that optimism into a settled rotation, and there are still key decisions to be made as the staff keeps evaluating who fits best in the starting mix. [Read more 🡒]
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Jonathan Brewer Faces Dukes Biggest ACC Title Defense Test Yet
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Still, the challenge around him looks very different now. Duke has to replace a pile of production from last season, including quarterback Darian Mensah, its top three wide receivers and both starting tackles, and the race to settle the new depth chart is already underway. Brewers next test is less about repeating what worked a year ago and more about building something new quickly enough to keep the title defense on track. [Read more 🡒]