3 Instant Observations From Duke Basketball’s Exhibition Win Over Kansas

Duke came back down to earth a bit on Sunday.

After looking utterly unbeatable through two preseason games against Belmont and Tennessee, the Blue Devils were tested against No. 17 Kansas in an exhibition game on Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse. Duke played a fantastic second half to win 90-84. Here are a few quick observations.

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Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje’s Defensive Versatility

Duke Blue Devils center Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje (30) reacts after making a three against Kansas Jayhawks during the exhibition game inside Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas on Oct. 25, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Duke freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje was tested on the offensive end much more than he has been in either of the Blue Devils’ first two preseason contests. Kansas was physical and did a good job forcing the seven-footer to take difficult shots. Although he didn’t make as much of an impact on the offensive end of the floor, his elite defensive versatility was on display.

Boumtje Boumtje spent time guarding Kansas’ 6’8″ 5-star freshman guard Tyran Stokes and Melvin Council on the ball, and he showed his ability to guard multiple positions at different parts of the floor. It wasn’t perfect, and there will certainly be some sort of transition period for Boumtje Boumtje to fully adjust to the physicality of college basketball, but his ability to guard different players at different areas of the floor stood out.

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Boumtje Boumtje is such a unique defensive tool for Jon Scheyer. It’s not too often a head coach can put his seven-foot big man on an opponent’s facilitator, but the rookie is a very unique prospect.

Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba II (21) looks for a pass against Kansas Jayhawks during the exhibition game inside Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas on Oct. 25, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Patrick Ngongba’s Improvements Offensively

This was the first time throughout the preseason that the Blue Devils were challenged on the interior…

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Publish date : 2026-10-26 01:06:00

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