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The Duke Blue Devils kicked off their 2026-27 college basketball season with a resounding 102-62 exhibition win over the Belmont Bruins at Cameron Indoor Stadium. After months of anticipation, the team finally took the court and delivered a performance that showcased their immense potential. With this being their first live action against outside competition, the ceiling for this Duke squad appears extraordinarily high as the postseason approaches.
Several key aspects stood out in the Blue Devils' lopsided victory over the Bruins.
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje: A Star in the Making
When Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje committed to Duke, many analysts, including this writer, viewed him as the highest-ceiling recruit of the Jon Scheyer era. After just one college game, it's clear he could become a star much sooner than expected. The 7'1" freshman wasted no time adjusting to the college game, looking like one of the best players on the floor from the opening tip. He finished with a game-high 19 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, shooting 7-of-11 from the field and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Boumtje Boumtje impacted winning in multiple ways and already appears to be one of Duke's top players. Considering he is still 17 years old and must spend at least two seasons in college, his long-term potential is frightening.
Elite Defense on Display
Duke has the pieces to be the best defensive team in the country. Even after building a comfortable lead, the Blue Devils maintained relentless effort, intensity, and connectivity on defense. Belmont struggled to generate anything offensively once Duke set up in the half-court. The Bruins shot just 34.5% from the floor and 7-of-30 (23.3%) from three-point range. Duke's length, switchability, and depth will make life miserable for opponents trying to score in the half-court. The Blue Devils forced 17 turnovers, converting them into 20 points, while also recording 12 steals and seven blocks. Their length was equally impactful on the boards, as they outrebounded Evan Bradds' squad 46-28, including a 17-11 advantage on the offensive glass, leading to 24 second-chance points.
Freshmen Make Their Mark
Beyond Boumtje Boumtje, several other Duke freshmen impressed in their debuts. Deron Rippey Jr., Bryson Howard, Cameron Williams, and Maxime Meyer all showed flashes. Rippey Jr. projects as an elite sparkplug off the bench with his defensive intensity and exceptional athleticism. Williams demonstrated high-level shot-blocking and rebounding, while Meyer, though more of a project, displayed good instincts and the ability to switch defensively. Howard was simply smooth—a confident and polished scorer who finished with five points on 2-of-4 shooting. His offensive creation and defensive versatility should earn him rotation minutes.
Improved Shooting from Deep and the Line
Although it's only an exhibition game, Duke looked vastly improved from the free-throw line and three-point range—two areas that plagued them last season. In 2025-26, the Blue Devils ranked 175th nationally in free-throw percentage (72.9%) and 132nd in three-point percentage (34.7%), per KenPom. Against Belmont, Duke shot 11-of-25 (44%) from beyond the arc and 23-of-27 (85.2%) from the charity stripe. It's just one scrimmage, but it's a promising early sign. Seven different players made a three-pointer on Thursday night.
Offensive Versatility
The biggest difference between this year's Duke team and the last couple of seasons is that it likely won't revolve around the best player in college basketball. Jon Scheyer has had the National Player of the Year on his roster in each of the past two seasons (Cameron Boozer and Cooper Flagg). While Scheyer and his staff might not have the most dominant force in the sport this season, they have scoring options all over the floor. Duke shot 53.1% from the field, with 10 different players making a field goal, and assisted on 16 of 34 made baskets. The Blue Devils certainly lived up to the preseason hype in their opener. Boumtje Boumtje and Dame Sarr led the way with 19 points apiece.
Hugh Straine is an accomplished writer and proud Bucknell University alumnus, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. He has served as editor of The Bucknellian, worked as an analyst for ESPN+ and Hulu, and currently reports on college sports as a general reporter for On SI. Follow HughStraine.