Who, What Stood Out in Duke’s Exhibition Demolition of Tennessee

The Duke Blue Devils took down No. 8 Tennessee in a lopsided 103-64 exhibition win on Tuesday night.

It’s still preseason play, but it’s hard not to think this year’s Blue Devils squad could be the most dominant team in the country. They just hosted an AP Top 10 preseason team, without Caleb Foster or Drew Scharnowski, and won by nearly 40 points. Granted, Tennessee was dealing with injuries of its own, but Duke was far and away the better team from the jump.

Oct 7, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer answers questions from the media during the ACC Tip-Off in Charlotte, NC. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Duke has now hit the 100-point mark in each of its two preseason contests, first defeating Belmont in a scrimmage, 102-62, on Oct. 8. After two games, it’s still hard to find a hole in this roster, and Duke looks like it will be an analytical monster. Let’s break down who and what stood out in the win over the Vols.

Advertisement

Who Stood Out

Mar 30, 2026; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Deron Rippey Jr (0) during the McDonalds All American Jam Fest at Millennium High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Deron Rippey Jr.

Duke could absolutely have the best backcourt in college basketball this season. All four of its true guards would start right away on most high-major teams. With Foster out, 5-star rookie Deron Rippey Jr. has played extended minutes, and he was extremely impressive against Tennessee.

Rippey led all scorers with 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field and 3-of-6 shooting from three-point range, along with three assists and three steals. He was an instant defensive burst off the bench and showcased his scoring prowess early.

The freshman is an elite athlete with a capable outside shot, and his energy on the defensive end will make him an extremely valuable piece of this rotation. With Rippey, Foster, Boozer, and Blackwell, Duke has as deep and talented a…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/stood-dukes-exhibition-demolition-tennessee-114551632.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-10-21 20:10:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.