Duke basketball showcased its mettle as it faced off against Auburn on Wednesday night. This was no ordinary opponent; it could potentially reappear at the Final Four in San Antonio. The ninth-ranked Blue Devils were put to the test and emerged victorious with a 84 - 78 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke's Toughness Shines in Clash with Auburn

Duke vs Auburn: A Battle for Supremacy

Duke basketball's encounter with Auburn was a spectacle to behold. The Blue Devils took on the second-ranked Tigers with unwavering determination. Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, had a double-double performance despite an inefficient shooting night. He scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, adding four assists, three steals, and two blocks to the mix. His ability to match Auburn's toughness was truly remarkable.In another notable moment, Sion James celebrated his 22nd birthday on the court. He took a beating but got up every time, showing his resilience. In his first start of the season, he had nine points, four rebounds, two blocks, and three steals. His one-handed dunk in the second half, even after getting hit in the face, helped maintain Duke's momentum.Isaiah Evans, a Fayetteville native, was on fire off the bench. In the first half against Auburn, he couldn't miss. Despite missing two 3 - point attempts, he made six treys and scored 18 points in just 11 minutes. His hot shooting helped Duke take a 43 - 36 halftime lead and was a crucial factor in their victory.With the win, Duke (6 - 2) evened its record against ranked opponents (2 - 2) and handed Auburn (7 - 1) its first loss of the season. Cooper Flagg, Isaiah Evans, Tyrese Proctor (12 points), and Caleb Foster (11 points) all finished in double figures to lead Duke. Johni Broome and Tahaad Pettiford scored 20 points each to pace four Tigers in double figures.Rodd Baxley, who covers Duke, North Carolina, and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network, provided in-depth coverage. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. If you have any questions regarding these teams, send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.