College basketball fans, brace yourselves for a thrilling recap that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat! On January 10, 2026, No. 6 Duke and No. 24 SMU clashed in a nail-biter that ended with the Blue Devils securing an 82-75 victory in Durham, N.C. But here's where it gets controversial—was it Duke’s clutch performance or SMU’s costly turnovers that truly decided the game? Let’s dive in.
Isaiah Evans emerged as the hero, scoring 21 points and sinking a game-changing 3-pointer with just 1:15 left on the clock. The play, orchestrated by freshman sensation Cam Boozer, mirrored Evans’ late-game heroics from Duke’s December win over Florida. Speaking of Boozer, he flexed his muscles with 18 points, including a pivotal interior basket that gave Duke a 73-68 edge moments before Evans’ dagger. Patrick Ngongba II also shined, tying his career-high with 17 points, as Duke shot an impressive 49% from the field and extended their home winning streak to 25 games.
And this is the part most people miss—SMU’s Jaden Toombs was unstoppable, scoring 23 points on an efficient 10-for-12 shooting. The Mustangs, who entered the AP Top 25 earlier that week for the first time since 2017, battled fiercely despite missing their leading scorer, Boopie Moller, due to illness. SMU’s 56.6% shooting kept them within striking distance, narrowing the gap to a single possession three times in the final 4 1/2 minutes. However, their 21 turnovers proved costly, gifting Duke 21 easy points.
Halftime brought a nostalgic moment as Duke celebrated the 25th anniversary of their 2001 NCAA championship. NBA legends Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Mike Dunleavy, and Jay Williams joined Coach K on the court, with Boozer’s twin sons, Cam and Cayden, now carrying the family legacy for the Blue Devils. Bold question: Did this emotional tribute fuel Duke’s second-half push, or was it simply SMU’s misfortune?
Looking ahead, SMU hosts Virginia Tech on Wednesday, while Duke embarks on their first cross-country ACC trip to face California. Will the Mustangs bounce back, or will Duke’s momentum continue? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do turnovers overshadow talent, or is Duke’s dynasty unstoppable?
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