The first-ever Dick Vitale Invitational tipped off in Charlotte with a marquee matchup between Duke and Texas, setting the stage for an early-season showcase filled with energy, intensity, and a celebration of college basketball.
Duke opened the game sluggishly, starting just 1-for-8 from the field, but the Longhorns struggled to find any rhythm of their own thanks to Duke’s relentless intensity on defense, which set the tone early and kept Texas from capitalizing on the slow start.
Freshman Cameron Boozer had a solid outing after shaking off early struggles. He began the night 0-for-7 from the field but bounced back strong in the second half, finishing with 15 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 3 steals while showing flashes of his all-around potential.
Isaiah Evans kept Duke afloat early, knocking down key shots from the perimeter when the offense stalled. While Evans provided the scoring spark, it was Duke’s defense that carried them all night, as the Blue Devils clamped down on Texas possession after possession.
For Texas, Dailyn Swain, the Xavier transfer and expected team leader, turned in a decent performance with 16 points, but he struggled to find consistency against Duke’s pressure and physicality. The Longhorns had difficulty establishing any offensive flow, a credit to how disciplined and active Duke was on the defensive end.
Duke’s defense never let up, dictating the pace of the game and creating turnovers that fueled their second-half surge. Every player bought in defensively, closing lanes, contesting shots, and communicating at a high level throughout the night.
When the final buzzer sounded, Duke walked away with a 75-60 victory, a performance that showcased their potential to be one of the nation’s elite defensive teams. If they continue to bring this kind of effort and focus, the Blue Devils are going to be a nightmare matchup for anyone on their schedule.