In his second year at the helm following the departure of the legendary Coach K, Jon Scheyer has advanced two rounds further than he did in his inaugural year.
When you step onto the court wearing the iconic navy blue jersey, performing in front of the passionate Cameron Crazies, and following in the footsteps of basketball legends, the expectations are sky-high. Championship-level high. Every season, regardless of the players’ names on the back of the uniform, wearing “Duke” on the front demands excellence. Moral victories, if they exist at all, are fleeting.
Jon Scheyer understands this as well as anyone. With 144 games played for the Blue Devils and two stints as team captain, Scheyer has a deep connection to the program. In his senior year in 2010, he played the most minutes in ACC history and led the Blue Devils to a national title.
Returning to Durham in 2013 after a brief professional career, Scheyer gradually climbed the coaching ranks. In June 2021, Mike Krzyzewski not only announced his retirement but also named Scheyer as his successor. Taking over from the iconic Coach K was an immense honor accompanied by tremendous pressure.
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Duke proudly highlights Scheyer’s achievements in their media guide, emphasizing national and ACC championships, recruiting successes, All-Americans, and NBA draft picks. However, there were no smiles after Duke’s recent loss to NC State in the Elite Eight. This defeat, particularly to an in-state rival, stung. Scheyer criticized his team’s lack of competitive fire in the previous loss to NC State in the ACC Tournament opener.
The Elite Eight loss showcased Duke’s struggles, with key players underperforming and the team’s offense faltering late in the game. Despite improvements seen over Scheyer’s two years as head coach, there’s a sense of frustration over missed opportunities.
Looking ahead to his third year, Scheyer remains optimistic about Duke’s future. However, there are uncertainties regarding player departures and potential transfers. Players like Filipowski and McCain are likely heading to the NBA draft, while others may choose to move on. Building depth, especially in the backcourt, will be crucial for Duke’s next season.
While Scheyer is cautious about discussing offseason plans, Duke’s track record of minimal player turnover may change this year. The upcoming months will be critical as Duke prepares for the challenges and expectations that come with being a perennial contender in college basketball.
