Fourth-year head coach Jon Scheyer continues to elevate Duke men’s basketball to elite territory, and his 2025–26 squad has delivered his strongest start yet. Undefeated through 11 games with four ranked wins already on the résumé, the No. 3 Blue Devils now face another defining moment in a demanding non-conference slate: a clash with No. 19 Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden.
Saturday night’s matchup headlines the SentinelOne Classic and marks Duke’s second appearance this season in the iconic Big Apple. The Blue Devils are no strangers to thriving under the bright lights of MSG, having already claimed a statement victory there in November with a takedown of then-No. 17 Kansas. Now, Scheyer’s group looks to replicate that success against a hungry Texas Tech team searching for its first ranked win of the season.
Texas Tech entered the year with lofty expectations, debuting at No. 10 in the preseason AP poll. However, losses to ranked opponents Illinois, Purdue and Arkansas have pushed the Red Raiders down the rankings. Still, head coach Grant McCasland’s squad remains dangerous and battle-tested, as evidenced by its 101-90 win over Northern Colorado earlier this week. Duke, meanwhile, comes into the contest riding the momentum of a dominant 97-73 rout of Lipscomb — a game that also marked Scheyer’s 100th career victory as a head coach.
Under McCasland, Texas Tech has developed into a balanced and efficient offensive unit, shooting 46.2% from the field. Leading the charge is junior forward JT Toppin, one of the most productive scorers in the country. The 6-foot-9 standout is averaging 21.9 points per game, ranking second in the Big 12, and presents a physical and versatile challenge for Duke’s frontcourt. Toppin’s ability to score in the post, face up defenders and finish through contact makes him the focal point of the Red Raiders’ offense.
Supporting Toppin is a lethal backcourt tandem in Christian Anderson and Donovan Atwell. The two guards fuel Texas Tech’s perimeter attack, combining for 70 made three-pointers on the season. Their shooting prowess has helped the Red Raiders lead the Big 12 with an average of 11 three-pointers per game — a statistic that looms large against a Duke defense that prides itself on discipline and length. While the Blue Devils have limited opponents to just 60.8 points per game, Texas Tech’s spacing and shooting will test Duke’s closeouts and defensive rotations.
For Duke, this game represents more than just another ranked matchup. It is Scheyer’s final non-conference test before mid-February and a chance to further solidify the Blue Devils as a national title contender. Yet, despite their perfect record, Duke has shown vulnerability — particularly in the early stages of games.
Start strong
One of Duke’s most consistent issues this season has been sluggish first-half play. Even against unranked opponents like Lipscomb, the Blue Devils found themselves trailing for much of the opening 20 minutes. A similar pattern emerged against No. 9 Michigan State, where Duke entered halftime down 34-31. While the team has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to regroup and dominate after the break, falling behind early against a disciplined, veteran team like Texas Tech could prove costly. A fast start will be crucial to controlling tempo and keeping the Red Raiders from gaining confidence.
Hold on to the ball
Turnovers have been another area of concern. Duke coughed up 22 turnovers against Lipscomb, leading directly to 27 points for the Bisons. Six different Blue Devils contributed to the miscues, highlighting a collective lapse in ball security. Against Texas Tech — a team that thrives on momentum and transition opportunities — careless possessions could quickly swing the game. At the same time, Duke’s relentless effort on the glass remains a strength, as shown by its 20 offensive rebounds in the Lipscomb win. Balancing aggression with composure will be key.
Use the roster
Perhaps Duke’s greatest advantage lies in its depth. While stars like freshman Cameron Boozer often grab headlines, recent games have underscored the importance of a full-team effort. Boozer struggled early against Michigan State, scoring just once in the first half, but others stepped up. Freshman Nikolas Khamenia poured in 10 points — the third-most on the team — providing a crucial offensive spark. That trend continued against Lipscomb, where bench players accounted for 37 of Duke’s 97 points. Against Texas Tech’s physical style, contributions from the entire rotation could be the deciding factor.
Saturday night’s tip-off at 8 p.m. offers Duke another opportunity to make a national statement on one of college basketball’s biggest stages. With momentum, depth and defensive toughness on its side, the Blue Devils will look to shine once again under the Garden lights — and leave New York still undefeated.
