Duke concludes its season with promising signs but faces significant uncertainties as it anticipates the arrival of a highly-touted recruiting class.
When you wear the iconic navy blue, perform in front of the Cameron Crazies, and follow in the footsteps of some of the sport’s greatest players, the expectations are sky-high, bordering on championship-level. Every season, irrespective of the names adorned on the back of the jersey, the standard remains unwaveringly high when the front reads “Duke.” Jon Scheyer understands this reality better than most. Having competed in 144 games for the Blue Devils and served as team captain twice, Scheyer embodies the spirit of Duke basketball. In his senior year in 2010, Scheyer played more minutes than any player in ACC history and led the Blue Devils to a national championship.
Returning to Durham, North Carolina, in 2013 after a brief professional stint, Scheyer steadily climbed the ranks. In June 2021, when Mike Krzyzewski announced his retirement after the upcoming season, he handpicked Scheyer as his successor. The transition carried immense honor but also immense pressure. Scheyer was entrusted with filling the impossibly large shoes of a man synonymous with the sport’s most renowned program.
Duke proudly showcases Scheyer’s accomplishments, featuring him prominently in the team’s media guide alongside a litany of accolades, from national and conference championships to recruiting successes and NBA draft picks.
However, there were no smiles following Sunday’s loss to NC State in the Elite Eight. It wasn’t merely a defeat to a conference rival but an in-state adversary, often overlooked in the Duke-North Carolina-NC State “research triangle.” This loss came on the heels of NC State’s upset victory over Duke in the ACC Tournament opener, prompting Scheyer to question his team’s postseason competitiveness.
The defeat wasn’t due to a lack of effort but rather a lack of composure. Veteran players like Kyle Filipowski, likely in his final game with Duke, struggled with their shooting and fouled out. Mark Mitchell and Tyrese Proctor had similarly difficult outings, while team captain Jeremy Roach struggled to find his rhythm. Duke’s offense faltered, described by Scheyer as “probably the most disjointed game” of the season, while their defense crumbled in the second half as NC State shot an impressive 19 of 26 from the field.
Two years into the post-Coach K era, Duke has shown improvement under Scheyer’s leadership. While last year saw an early exit in the second round against Tennessee, this season brought a journey to the Elite Eight, including victories over formidable opponents like Houston. Statistically, the team displayed progress, boasting a top-10 offense and a top-15 defense nationally. Despite these advancements, there’s a lingering sense of frustration, a feeling of missed opportunities, and a question of why the progress wasn’t more substantial.
For Scheyer, the goal is to maintain the momentum and push forward. He remains confident in the program’s trajectory and future success, emphasizing the strength of the team and its potential for continued growth.
Looking ahead to Scheyer’s highly anticipated third year at the helm, here’s a glimpse of what the next iteration of the Blue Devils will entail:
