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Duke's men's basketball team, ranked No. 2 in the preseason, showcased its depth and talent during exhibition play, but the Blue Devils have been without key contributor Drew Scharnowski. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward, who transferred from Belmont in the spring, has been recovering from a right knee injury that required a procedure in September. Despite his absence, Duke completed a 3-0 October slate with wins over Belmont, Tennessee, and Kansas.
Following the 90-84 road victory over the Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on Sunday, head coach Jon Scheyer offered a positive update on Scharnowski's status. "Drew is getting closer," Scheyer said. "He's on the court. And hopefully, we get him back for the first week here." The 22-year-old, a former First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection and All-MVC Defensive Team honoree, was seen wearing a sleeve on his right leg throughout the preseason.
Key Analysis
Scharnowski's potential return would bolster an already formidable Duke frontcourt. His defensive prowess and rebounding ability, honed during three years at Belmont, could provide the Blue Devils with another reliable option as they navigate a challenging regular-season schedule. Scheyer's optimism suggests that Scharnowski may be ready to suit up for the Blue Devils' opener against Army on Monday, Nov. 2, at 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU) in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Meanwhile, senior guard Caleb Foster, who missed the first two exhibition games with a minor ankle injury, saw limited action against Kansas. Foster played 16 minutes off the bench, contributing two points, one assist, two steals, and one turnover. "He's ahead of schedule," Scheyer said of Foster. "We didn't think he would even play in this game. And in typical Caleb fashion, he just put a lot of pressure on us. And finally, we gave in and said, 'All right, you can play — limited, though.' And he goes, 'Whatever I can get, I'll give you all I've got.'" Foster's presence and energy made a difference, and his return adds depth to Duke's backcourt.