When the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils (4–0, 0–0 ACC) take the floor against the No. 25 Kansas Jayhawks (3–1, 0–0 Big 12) on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, they’ll do so without standout freshman guard Darryn Peterson, who is sidelined indefinitely with a hamstring injury. Even so, the stage remains enormous. The matchup is part of the annual Champions Classic—college basketball’s premier early-season showcase—and for junior guard Caleb Foster, it represents the type of moment that shaped his dream long before he ever put on a Duke uniform.
Following Duke’s dominant 100–62 victory over Indiana State on Friday night, Foster spoke openly about what the upcoming game means to him. His comments were not only revealing of his mindset but also reflective of the program’s culture and the pride that comes with wearing Duke blue.
“It’s what dreams are made of,” Foster said when asked about facing Kansas under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. “It’s what you come to Duke for. I’m really excited. We’ll start preparing tomorrow and keep building. Every time we’ve gone up there during my two years, I’ve loved it. And the fact that we get to play there twice this season is something special. The love for Duke is always there, and I can’t wait to get back and play in that atmosphere again.”
For Foster, these moments aren’t merely basketball games—they’re affirmations of his lifelong connection to the program. A 21-year-old native of Harrisburg, North Carolina, Foster grew up a passionate Duke fan, dreaming of the chance to participate in marquee matchups just like this one. Now in his third season in Durham, that dream continues to unfold.
He emphasized that there is no need for extra motivation when the opponent is Kansas and the venue is Madison Square Garden. “That’s what we all came to Duke for—to play in big games like this,” he explained. “It’s definitely going to be fun. It’s not going to take anything to get ready. Everyone’s going to be locked in.”
Foster has good reason to feel upbeat heading into the contest. Against Indiana State he delivered his most complete performance of the season, contributing 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal in just 23 minutes. With his move into a full-time starting role this season, his numbers have climbed accordingly. Through four games, he is averaging career highs across the board: 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. The junior’s growth has been steady, and Duke’s coaching staff has leaned on his improved poise, decision-making, and perimeter defense.
The Champions Classic itself provides an additional layer of motivation. Since its creation, the event has featured college basketball’s four most prominent bluebloods—Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan State—battling in a rotating format on national television. The Blue Devils enter this year’s edition with an 8–6 record in the event, while Kansas sits slightly ahead at 9–5. A win on Tuesday would pull Duke into a tie with the Jayhawks for the best record in Champions Classic history.
While Duke has traditionally performed well in the event, Kansas has presented one of the stiffest challenges. The teams last met in the Champions Classic in November 2022, early in Jon Scheyer’s first season as head coach. The Blue Devils, then ranked No. 7, narrowly fell to the sixth-ranked Jayhawks 69–64 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Despite that setback, Duke still holds a 3–1 advantage over Kansas in their previous Champions Classic matchups, and each of their four meetings has come with both teams ranked among the nation’s top ten. This year continues that trend of elite competition.
For Scheyer and his players, the matchup represents both a test and an opportunity—an early chance to measure themselves against another national title contender. Although losing Peterson removes one dynamic scoring option from the backcourt, the Blue Devils’ depth and experience soften the blow. Veterans like Foster, Jeremy Roach, and Tyrese Proctor are expected to shoulder a larger share of the offensive and defensive responsibilities.
The game also marks Duke’s first trip to Madison Square Garden this season, with a second scheduled for December 20 when they face Texas Tech. For many college players, playing inside “The World’s Most Famous Arena” is a rare honor. For Duke, it is almost a tradition. The program’s history in New York runs deep—from legendary performances during the Mike Krzyzewski era to more recent outings that helped define Scheyer’s early coaching tenure.
After their high-profile showdown against Kansas, the Blue Devils will return to Durham to prepare for another Friday-night matchup, this time against Niagara. While the Purple Eagles are unranked, the game carries sentimental value: Niagara is coached by former Duke point guard Greg Paulus, a standout under Coach K from 2005 to 2009. His return to Cameron Indoor Stadium is sure to add a layer of nostalgia to the evening.
For now, however, all eyes remain on the looming clash with Kansas. And if Caleb Foster’s enthusiasm and confidence are any indication, Duke will enter Madison Square Garden eager, energized, and fully aware of the significance of the moment.
“It’s what you dream about as a kid,” Foster reiterated. “Big games, big stages, big opportunities. That’s why I’m here, and I can’t wait.”
