Duke Men’s Basketball Debuts 26-27 Team at Countdown to Craziness

DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke men’s basketball team raised the curtain on its 2026-27 season with the annual Countdown to Craziness on Saturday night inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, capped with the Blue-White scrimmage. Team White claimed the win, 29-24, in the scrimmage, reaching the Elam ending target score with a game-ending three-pointer by Deron Rippey Jr.

Team White shot over 60 percent from the field, going 11-of-18 overall and posted a 50 percent clip from beyond the arc at 4-for-8. Team Blue finished with the rebounding advantage, 9-7, and an edge in paint points, 16-14. Team White found success in transition, with 13 fast-break points, while holding Team Blue scoreless on the break.

The two teams combined to make the first five shots of the game, including triples from John Blackwell and Sebastian Wilkins. Team White used a mini run of four unanswered to grab an early 9-5 lead, but Team Blue ripped off six straight to inch back in front, 11-9.

A three-point play from Blackwell kept Team Blue in the lead, 18-14, with 4:36 remaining. Consecutive triples for Team White, courtesy of Patrick Ngongba II and Bryson Howard gave their squad the lead, 20-18, and set the target score of 28 for the Elam ending.

With the score tied at 24, Caleb Foster put Team White in front with a jumper and Rippey Jr. drilled a three-pointer from the wing, giving his side the 29 points needed to reach the target score.

Rippey Jr. and Wilkins led Team White with seven points apiece, while Blackwell reached double-figures for Team Blue with 10 points. Rippey Jr. also led all players with three assists, while Boumtje Boumtje and Maxime Meyer each grabbed a game-high two rebounds.