Duke men’s basketball head coach Jon Scheyer recently appeared on College Hoops Today with Jon Rothstein, a podcast hosted by the CBS Sports personality, where he discussed his outlook heading into his third season at the helm.
Scheyer began by reflecting on last season’s heartbreaking Elite Eight loss to NC State, acknowledging the disappointment but quickly pivoting to the excitement of what’s ahead. With practice about to start, Scheyer shared his thoughts on the potential of this new Duke team.
“They’ve been a group that’s worked incredibly hard,” Scheyer said. “They’ve been really connected, which is impressive considering ten of our twelve scholarship players are new. I know every coach says this time of year, ‘My team’s working hard,’ but I can really feel it from our group.”
A major focus for Scheyer this season is the team’s size, with the shortest player being 6’5″ Caleb Foster. The coach explained that this positional size allows them to adjust their game plan.
“We have great positional size and rim protection,” Scheyer noted. “We also have high IQ players with great versatility. This allows us to play a little differently this year.”
Rothstein also brought up the addition of 5-star recruit Cooper Flagg, a projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, asking how Scheyer expects him to contribute.
“The biggest thing with Cooper is his competitiveness,” Scheyer said. “At 17, stepping into the highest level of college basketball is a huge adjustment, but Cooper competes right away. His feel for the game is incredible—he can play any position and guard anyone. What stands out the most is his humility. He not only accepts coaching, but he craves it at the highest level.”
The conversation shifted to Duke’s transfer class, which includes Maliq Brown from Syracuse, Mason Gillis from Purdue, and Sion James from Tulane. Scheyer expressed excitement about how these players will fit into the program.
“They blend great,” Scheyer said. “Maliq led the ACC in steals while playing the five, which is tough to do. We love his defensive versatility and unselfishness. Mason Gillis brings experience, having played for one of the top programs in Purdue, and Sion is a great leader with physicality at the guard spot that not many players have.”
The return of key backcourt players Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster also gives Duke a strong foundation. Scheyer emphasized how crucial these players are to the team’s success.
“Jon, it’s a big deal,” Scheyer told Rothstein. “Both of these guys are going to have big-time seasons. We’ve been through some battles together, and they understand what it takes. I’ve loved their maturity and the way they’ve set the tone with their work ethic this offseason.”
Rothstein asked if this year’s team could be the best defensive unit Duke has had under Scheyer’s leadership. Scheyer expressed optimism about the team’s defensive potential, given their size and versatility.
“I think we have the chance to be the best defensive team I’ve coached,” Scheyer said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but our size and ability to protect the paint and cover ground are strengths. We’ll do some things differently this year because of it.”
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With Duke aiming for another deep tournament run, Scheyer emphasized the importance of team chemistry and executing in critical moments.
“The biggest key is getting connected as quickly as possible over what we hope is a 40-game season,” Scheyer explained. “Role definition and understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses will be crucial. We’re putting a priority on playing fast, but when it comes tournament time, you have to execute in the halfcourt.”
As Duke enters the season with a uniquely constructed roster, they will be one of the most intriguing teams to watch in college basketball. Scheyer and his staff are eager to get to work, with high hopes for what this group can accomplish.
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