Duke basketball in 2026 is a different beast, honestly. If you were looking for the final score of the Duke vs. Stanford game on Saturday, January 17, 2026, here is the short version: Duke won. It wasn't necessarily a blowout, but the Blue Devils handled business in Palo Alto. Jon Scheyer’s squad continues to look like one of the most cohesive units in the country, moving to 17-1 on the season. Following their 71-56 win over Cal earlier in the week, this West Coast swing could have been a "trap" scenario, but the Blue Devils avoided the stumble.
Who Won the Duke Game Today?
The Blue Devils secured the victory against the Stanford Cardinal with a final score of 79-68.
Playing at Maples Pavilion is always a bit weird for ACC teams now that the geography of the conference has basically exploded. But Duke seemed to find their rhythm early. If you've been following the season, you know this team relies heavily on a mix of veteran backcourt play and the sheer gravitational pull of their projected top-three NBA pick, Cooper Flagg.
Flagg didn't just show up; he dominated the glass. He finished the night with 22 points and 11 rebounds. It’s kinda wild seeing a guy that size move the way he does. Stanford tried to throw a few different zone looks at him, but Tyrese Proctor’s ability to find the gaps kept the offense humming.
Why Stanford Kept it Close
Stanford actually led for about four minutes in the first half. Maxime Raynaud—who seems like he’s been in college for a decade at this point—was a problem in the paint. He finished with 19 points and gave Duke’s bigs some foul trouble early on.
But then the second half happened.
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Duke went on a 12-2 run right after the under-16 timeout. Kon Knueppel hit back-to-back threes that basically sucked the air out of the building. When Knueppel is hitting, Duke is almost impossible to beat because you can't double-team Flagg without leaving a flamethrower open on the wing.
The Key Stats That Mattered
Honestly, the game was won at the free-throw line and on the offensive boards.
- Duke's Rebounding: They outrebounded Stanford 42-31.
- Second Chance Points: Duke had 16; Stanford had 6.
- Turnovers: Proctor only had one giveaway the entire game. That's elite.
Duke’s defense is currently ranked in the top 10 nationally for a reason. They held Stanford to 39% shooting from the field. In modern college hoops, if you hold a team under 40%, you’re going to win 9 times out of 10.
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The ACC Standings Implications
With this win, Duke remains perfect in ACC play at 6-0. People were worried about these long flights to California, but the Blue Devils have handled the jet lag better than most.
The conference is a bit of a mess this year. North Carolina is lurking, and Louisville has actually looked competent under their new leadership, but Duke is clearly the "team to beat" heading into February. This win today keeps them firmly in the hunt for a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
What's Next for the Blue Devils?
They don't get much time to celebrate. The team flies back to Durham immediately to prepare for a home stand.
- Next Game: vs. Wake Forest (January 24)
- Following Game: vs. Louisville (January 26 - Big Monday)
The Wake Forest game will be a test of focus. Coming off a long road trip, teams often "sleepwalk" through that first game back at Cameron Indoor. But with the way Scheyer has these guys locked in, a letdown seems unlikely.
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If you’re a betting person, keep an eye on Khaman Maluach’s development. He didn't score much today, but his rim protection was the reason Stanford stopped driving in the final ten minutes. He altered at least five shots that don't show up in the box score as blocks but definitely changed the game's momentum.
To stay ahead of the curve on the Blue Devils' season, you should start looking at the upcoming matchups against the North Carolina schools. The February 7th game at Chapel Hill is already the most expensive ticket in the country. Make sure your DVR is set for the Wake Forest game next Saturday at 5:45 PM ET, as the Demon Deacons have been known to play Duke tough in Durham.