Duke Defeats Virginia Tech in Snowy Blacksburg

Blue Devils overcome illness and weather to secure victory over Hokies

Feb. 1, 2026 at 3:55pm

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The Duke men's basketball team defeated Virginia Tech in a hard-fought game played in snowy conditions at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia. Despite several players dealing with an illness, the Blue Devils were able to pull out the victory, thanks in large part to a standout rebounding performance from freshman Caleb Foster.

Why it matters

This win is an important one for Duke as they continue their push towards the NCAA Tournament. Overcoming adversity on the road against a tough conference opponent shows the team's resilience and ability to win in challenging circumstances.

The details

Duke had to battle through a bug affecting multiple players, but still managed to control the paint and outrebound the Hokies. Freshman Caleb Foster, who was initially listed as questionable due to injury, ended up having the best rebounding game of his young career to help lead the Blue Devils to victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
  • Snow was falling throughout the contest in Blacksburg.

The players

Caleb Foster

A Duke freshman who stepped up with a standout rebounding performance despite being listed as questionable due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“Caleb really stepped up for us today. His effort on the boards was crucial in helping us get this win.”

— Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, Duke University

What’s next

Duke will look to build on this win as they prepare for a highly anticipated matchup next weekend.

The takeaway

Duke's ability to overcome illness and weather challenges to secure a road victory against a tough conference opponent demonstrates the team's resilience and toughness as they continue their push towards the NCAA Tournament.