No. 6 Duke Rallies Past No. 18 Tennessee in Exhibition Thriller
Knoxville, TN – In front of a sold-out crowd of 21,678 at Food City Center on Sunday, October 26, the No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers fell to No. 6 Duke 83-76 in an exhibition game that showcased both the promise and growing pains of two highly-ranked programs entering the 2025-26 season.
Tennessee Vols Exhibition Game | Ten. Athletics
First-Half Dominance Gives Way to Second-Half Struggles
Tennessee jumped out to an early 11-4 lead, holding Duke to just two made field goals on their first 12 attempts. The Volunteers continued their strong play, building their advantage to as much as nine points late in the first half and taking a 43-37 lead into the break.
Senior guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie led Tennessee with 19 points and a game-best eight assists, while the Volunteers' bench outscored Duke's reserves 28-10. The defensive intensity was evident early as Tennessee forced Duke into uncomfortable offensive possessions.
Duke's Second-Half Surge
After trailing by six at halftime, Duke exploded out of the locker room with a 23-9 run to seize control of the contest. The Blue Devils led for the final 15:48 of the game. What separated Duke in the second half was their composure and execution, particularly at the free-throw line.
Duke went a perfect 20-for-20 from the free-throw line in the second half Duke University, a remarkable display of clutch shooting that Tennessee simply couldn't match. Overall, Duke shot 92.6 percent (25-of-27) from the charity stripe while posting a 37.0 percent mark from three-point range.
Boozer's Monster Performance
Freshman Cameron Boozer dominated with 24 points and 23 rebounds, adding six assists, two blocks, and one steal. The highly-touted freshman, son of former Duke star Carlos Boozer, announced his arrival on the college basketball stage with a complete performance that demonstrated why he was one of the nation's top recruits.
Isaiah Evans contributed 22 points, highlighted by four three-pointers, while sophomore Patrick Ngongba II scored 15 points on efficient 5-of-6 shooting. Duke's balanced attack and relentless rebounding—including 16 offensive rebounds Duke University—proved too much for Tennessee to overcome.
What Went Wrong for Tennessee
Despite the strong start, several factors contributed to Tennessee's second-half collapse:
Free-Throw Disparity
The most glaring difference came at the free-throw line. While Duke went 25-of-27 from the stripe, Tennessee couldn't capitalize on similar opportunities. Duke's perfect second-half performance from the line essentially sealed the game, as the Blue Devils converted crucial free throws down the stretch.
Offensive Efficiency Issues
Tennessee held Duke to just 34.8 percent shooting from the field (24-of-69), yet still lost by seven points. The Volunteers' inability to convert defensive stops into points hampered their comeback efforts. Tennessee's offense stagnated in critical second-half stretches, allowing Duke to build and maintain their lead.
Lack of Consistent Secondary Scoring
While Gillespie performed admirably, Tennessee struggled to find consistent production beyond their primary scorers. The Volunteers needed more balanced offensive contributions to keep pace with Duke's multi-faceted attack.
Silver Linings for Tennessee
Despite the loss, there were positive takeaways for Rick Barnes and his staff:
Early Defensive Identity
Tennessee's first-half defensive performance demonstrated the potential of this year's squad. Holding Duke to poor shooting early and controlling the glass showed the Volunteers can compete defensively with elite programs.
Bench Depth
Tennessee's 28-10 advantage in bench points suggests the Volunteers have reliable depth that will be crucial during the long SEC grind. The ability to maintain energy and intensity with second-unit players provides valuable flexibility.
Competitive Fight
Playing a top-10 team close in front of a raucous home crowd demonstrated that Tennessee won't back down from challenges. The experience gained from this high-level competition will prove invaluable as the season progresses.
The Exhibition Game Context
This marked Tennessee's fourth consecutive season playing a Division I team ranked in the top 20 in a preseason exhibition, posting a 2-1 record in games against teams ranked in the top six. Barnes has made it a priority to schedule challenging exhibition opponents, understanding that iron sharpens iron.
A total of 39 NBA scouts from 22 different franchises had credentials for the game, underscoring the talent on both rosters and the national significance of this exhibition matchup.
Looking Ahead
Tennessee begins the regular season November 3 at 7 p.m. when they face Mercer at Food City Center. The lessons learned from Duke—particularly the need for better free-throw shooting, sustained offensive execution, and second-half intensity—will shape the Volunteers' preparation.
The SEC schedule looms large, with Tennessee facing a conference that features multiple NCAA Tournament-caliber teams. The experience gained from battling Duke, even in a losing effort, provides a valuable measuring stick for where this team stands and what adjustments need to be made.
Final Thoughts
While exhibition losses don't count in the record books, they provide crucial data points for coaching staffs and developmental opportunities for players. Tennessee showed it can compete with elite programs but must improve execution in key areas—particularly free-throw shooting and second-half offensive consistency.
Rick Barnes, now 15-2 in exhibition games during his Tennessee tenure, has consistently used these opportunities to prepare his teams for the rigors of high-level basketball. The Volunteers have the pieces to contend in the SEC and beyond, but this Duke game exposed areas requiring immediate attention.
As Tennessee shifts focus to the regular season, the challenge is clear: translate the positive moments from this game into sustained excellence while addressing the weaknesses that allowed Duke to rally. With a veteran coach, talented roster, and one of college basketball's most passionate fan bases, the Volunteers have everything needed to bounce back and compete for championships.
The journey begins November 3. The lessons from Duke will echo throughout the season.
