Duke basketball continued its impressive run through Atlantic Coast Conference play with a commanding 90–69 victory over Wake Forest on Saturday night, Jan. 24, at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The win kept the No. 5 Blue Devils unbeaten in ACC action, improving their overall record to 18–1 and 7–0 in conference play.
More than just another tally in the win column, the performance served as a clear statement of Duke’s evolving identity under head coach Jon Scheyer — a team built on defensive connectivity, physical dominance in the paint, and an unselfish, winning-first mindset led by its star freshman, Cameron Boozer.
Cameron Boozer Continues to Shine — But Stays Hungry
Freshman forward Cameron Boozer once again stole the spotlight, delivering a monster performance with 32 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. It marked Boozer’s second consecutive 30-point outing and his fourth such game of the season — an extraordinary achievement for a first-year player competing at the highest level of college basketball.
Yet, despite the gaudy numbers, Scheyer emphasized that Boozer’s greatest strength lies in his mentality rather than his scoring ability.
“Cam is never satisfied,” Scheyer said. “That’s the great thing about him. He’ll find something from tonight’s game that he’s mad about, even though he had 32 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. That’s what makes him special.”
Scheyer described Boozer as a player “wired to win,” noting that he prioritizes teammates and team success over individual accolades. According to the Duke head coach, that mindset has become contagious within the locker room.
“When your best player is that way, it has a big effect on the rest of the group,” Scheyer added.
For a Duke roster that relies heavily on young talent, having a freshman leader with that level of maturity has been invaluable.
Defensive Identity Remains the Foundation
While Duke’s offensive numbers were eye-catching, Scheyer was quick to steer the conversation toward defense — an area he believes has taken a noticeable leap forward over the past few games.
Wake Forest found early success from beyond the arc, including made three-pointers from players who are not typically known as high-volume shooters. However, Duke did not panic. Instead, the Blue Devils adjusted, tightened their rotations, and leaned into collective defensive effort.
“Sometimes you just have to remind them who we are,” Scheyer said. “I try to make sure there’s teaching involved — what are we asking them to do?”
Scheyer credited Wake Forest for testing Duke early but praised his team’s response.
“I thought we weathered the storm, and I thought we had great connectivity with five guys defending. Over the last three games, I think we’ve taken a step defensively.”
That defensive growth was evident in the final numbers. Duke dominated Wake Forest in the paint, outscoring the Demon Deacons 48–16, and held firm control of the glass, outrebounding them 43–22.
Winning With Physicality: Duke’s “Smash Mouth” Approach
One of the most striking aspects of Duke’s performance was how thoroughly they controlled the interior. Rather than relying on perimeter shooting, the Blue Devils repeatedly attacked the rim, generated contact, and punished Wake Forest with second-chance opportunities.
Duke finished with 16 offensive rebounds, a stat Scheyer described as “huge” in setting the tone of the game.
“For us, it’s about not getting bored with what’s working,” Scheyer explained. “That was our advantage in this game, and it’s probably our advantage most games with how we’re trying to play.”
Scheyer acknowledged that while Duke has the potential to be a strong three-point shooting team, their current identity revolves around efficiency, physicality, and discipline.
“If you think about the free throws and points in the paint, that’s 69 points right there,” he said. “I never thought we’d be playing smash mouth basketball as much, but it’s a fun style when you’re getting layups, dunks, and fighting for great shots.”
Rather than forcing perimeter looks, Duke has embraced the idea of “manufacturing offense” through effort, spacing, and ball movement — a philosophy that continues to pay dividends.
Maliq Brown’s Near-Perfect Night
While Boozer headlined the box score, forward Maliq Brown quietly delivered one of his most complete performances of the season. Known for his defensive versatility and energy, Brown was praised extensively by Scheyer after the game.
“Tonight, he was spectacular,” Scheyer said. “Besides wanting him to take one more three in the second half, I thought he was as close to perfect as he could be.”
Scheyer highlighted Brown’s activity on the ball, his effectiveness in pick-and-roll defense, and his overall impact on both ends of the floor. Importantly, Brown avoided the uncharacteristic turnovers that had occasionally plagued him earlier in the season.
A Frontcourt That Sets Duke Apart
Perhaps the most revealing statistic of the night came from Duke’s frontcourt playmaking. The trio of Maliq Brown, Cameron Boozer, and Patrick Ngongba II combined for 11 assists and just two turnovers.
For Scheyer, that efficiency is a defining strength — and a separator at the national level.
“Our playmaking from our bigs is a big strength of ours,” he said. “I’m not sure there are many frontcourts in the country that can pass, value the ball, and score like that.”
Ngongba contributed 13 points, while Isaiah Evans added 11, giving Duke balanced scoring to complement Boozer’s offensive explosion.
Duke’s Trajectory Looks Promising
With the ACC schedule heating up, Duke’s dominant win over Wake Forest reinforced the sense that this team is rounding into form at the right time. The Blue Devils are defending with purpose, rebounding with authority, and playing an unselfish brand of basketball that reflects their head coach’s vision.
Scheyer, still early in his tenure, appears increasingly comfortable molding Duke into a team that may not always win with flash — but consistently wins with toughness, discipline, and cohesion.
If Cameron Boozer continues to lead with his relentless competitive edge and Duke maintains its physical, defense-first identity, the Blue Devils will remain not only a favorite in the ACC, but a serious contender heading toward March Madness.
