Duke vs. Tennessee Exhibition: Three Blue Devils to Watch

On Tuesday night the Blue Devils will roll out the welcome mat for the No. 8 Vols at Cameron Indoor Stadium. It’s the second straight year the two programs have met in an exhibition, and the atmosphere promises to be electric, especially after Duke’s 102‑62 rout of Belmont in early‑October.

While the whole roster will be looking to lock in identity before the regular season, three young players in particular have already turned heads. All three earned minutes in the Belmont scrimmage, and each brings a slightly different flavor to Coach Jon Scheyer’s new‑look squad.

Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje – the 7‑1 freshman from the Congo‑Democratic Republic is already being called one of the ACC’s most exciting newcomers. In his first collegiate minutes he poured in 19 points, grabbed seven boards, swiped two passes and blocked two shots. He shot a respectable 7‑of‑11 from the field and even knocked down a couple of threes. The buzz is real: he’s the Preseason ACC Rookie of the Year, landed a spot on the Preseason All‑ACC Second Team, and even nabbed a vote for Preseason ACC Player of the Year. If he can translate that comfort against a top‑10 opponent, Duke could have a genuine inside‑out scoring option sooner rather than later.

Deron Rippey Jr. – the five‑star guard entered Duke with a lot of hype, but his contribution in the Belmont game was more low‑key and yet hugely effective. In 22 minutes he chipped in 11 points, dished two assists and recorded a steal. What stood out was his defensive hustle; he seemed eager to hustle, a trait that will be tested against Tennessee’s quick‑tempo guards like transfer Juke Harris and Terrence Hill Jr. Rippey is expected to be the spark off the bench, injecting energy and gritty defense whenever the starters need a breather.

Sebastian Wilkins – the 6‑8 redshirt freshman is the classic 3‑and‑D wing. Against Belmont he posted eight points, six rebounds and two steals in 22 minutes, showcasing a willingness to do the “little things” that often get overlooked: setting solid screens, rotating on defense and taking open looks. His versatility as a switchable defender could be crucial when the Vols try to dictate pace. If Duke needs an instant scoring lift, Wilkins has the range to deliver it from beyond the arc.

Overall, Duke’s size and scoring depth have already been on display, but the real test will come when the Vols fire up their offense. A solid showing from Boumtje Boumtje, Rippey Jr. and Wilkins could signal that the Blue Devils are not just a preseason curiosity but a genuine contender for the season ahead.