Predicting Duke Basketball’s Top 3 Defensive Players This Season

The Duke Blue Devils are once again entering the college basketball season as one of the heavyweight favorites to win the National Championship.

Head coach Jon Scheyer built a roster that’s legitimately difficult to find a weakness in, at least on paper. Duke has the personnel and depth to be one of the best teams in the country on both sides of the ball.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer looks on against the UConn Huskies in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Blue Devils have been an elite defensive team under Scheyer. They have ranked in the top 17 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, each year under Scheyer, and in the top five in each of the last two campaigns.

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Duke can absolutely be the best defensive club in the nation this year. Let’s predict the team’s top three defensive players, in no particular order.

Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba (21) dribbles during a practice session ahead of the east regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Patrick Ngongba

Patrick Ngongba will anchor one of the best two-way frontcourts in college basketball, accompanied by Cameron Williams, Drew Scharnowski, and Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje.

Ngongba took a massive leap as a sophomore, averaging 10.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, and likely would’ve been a first-round pick had he entered the 2026 NBA Draft.

Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba (21) handles the ball against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES…

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Publish date : 2026-08-27 12:00:00

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