Duke Basketball Dominates Stanford in ACC Showdown
Duke and Stanford met for the first time as ACC rivals on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The third-ranked Blue Devils (21-3, 13-1 ACC) came in riding a wave of momentum after a dominant victory over Cal, and they looked to keep their home winning streak alive against a Stanford team that has historically held an edge in their matchups.
While Stanford (16-9, 8-6 ACC) entered with confidence, Duke proved to be too much, running away with a 106-70 victory in front of an electrified home crowd.
Duke vs Stanford: A Historic Matchup
Only 14 teams in Division I have a winning record against Duke, and Stanford was one of them before Saturday’s game. The Cardinal had won two of their three previous meetings with the Blue Devils, but Duke had a chance to even the all-time series.
Adding to the excitement, legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale made his return to Cameron Indoor Stadium, making this Duke vs Stanford showdown even more special.
Cooper Flagg vs Maxime Raynaud: Star Players Shine
The game featured an anticipated battle of ACC stars, with Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud leading their teams.
Cooper Flagg’s Performance:
- 27 points (team-high)
- A highlight-reel dunk that had the Cameron Crazies on their feet
- Key 3-pointer during a Duke scoring run
Maxime Raynaud’s Performance:
- 19.9 points per game (ACC’s leading scorer)
- 11.5 rebounds per game
- Two early 3-pointers to keep Stanford in the game
Both players had strong moments, but Flagg’s dominance and Duke’s overall depth proved to be the difference in the game.
Jaylen Blakes’ Return to Duke
One of the biggest storylines in this Duke vs Stanford matchup was the return of Jaylen Blakes, a former Duke guard who transferred to Stanford.
Blakes was part of some of Duke’s biggest recent moments, including a Final Four appearance, an ACC Tournament title, and an Elite Eight run before transferring to Stanford.
Jaylen Blakes’ Game Stats:
- 14.5 points per game average this season
- 5 assists per game
- Scored key buckets early but struggled against Duke’s tough defense
While Blakes had a few flashy moments, Duke’s defense held him in check as the game went on.
Duke vs Stanford Updates & Game Highlights
🏀 First Half: Duke Takes Control Early
- Opening Minutes: Duke took an early 11-10 lead, despite two quick 3-pointers from Maxime Raynaud.
- Flagg Heats Up: Cooper Flagg sparked an 8-0 run, including a deep 3-pointer to push the lead to 21-13.
- Proctor’s Big Half: Tyrese Proctor scored 17 points in the first half, including three 3-pointers.
- Duke’s Ball Movement: The Blue Devils had six assists on their first eight baskets, showcasing their elite passing game.
- Halftime Score: Duke 49, Stanford 34—Duke closed the half strong with a putback layup from Khaman Maluach.
🏀 Second Half: Duke Pulls Away
- Kevin Hart Sighting: Comedian Kevin Hart was in attendance but left early as Duke extended its lead to 63-41 at the under-16 timeout.
- Duke’s Defense Steps Up: The Blue Devils tightened up defensively, forcing turnovers and limiting Stanford’s second-chance points.
- Kon Knueppel’s Impact: Knueppel, who struggled against Cal, bounced back with seven points and a smooth banked-in jumper.
- Final Score: Duke 106, Stanford 70—A dominant performance from start to finish.
Tyrese Proctor’s Red-Hot Shooting Continues
One of the standout performers in Duke vs Stanford was Tyrese Proctor, who has been on fire from beyond the arc in recent games.
Proctor finished with:
✔️ 17 points in the first half
✔️ 7-of-11 shooting overall
✔️ Three made 3-pointers
This marks his fifth straight game with multiple made threes, showing his improved range and efficiency.
Duke’s Keys to Victory vs Stanford
Duke’s dominance came down to three major factors:
✅ Elite Ball Movement: The Blue Devils spread the floor well, creating open looks and easy baskets.
✅ Strong Defensive Play: Duke’s pressure defense disrupted Stanford’s offense, forcing bad shots and turnovers.
✅ Deep Roster Contributions: It wasn’t just Flagg—players like Proctor, Knueppel, and Maluach all stepped up.
Final Thoughts: What’s Next for Duke?
With the 106-70 victory over Stanford, Duke remains undefeated at home and continues to build momentum toward the ACC Tournament.
Next up, the Blue Devils hit the road for another tough conference battle. Can they keep their hot streak alive? Stay tuned for more Duke basketball updates!
