“San Antonio sounds great!” Coach Jon Scheyer said post-winning vs Alabama. And you know what, Coach? It absolutely does! But honestly, did we expect anything less from a team that lost just three games this season, all by single digits? However, the nation’s highest-scoring offense was supposed to put up a fight against Duke. Well, that didn’t exactly happen. Fueled by the sting of last year’s Elite Eight exit, the Blue Devils locked Alabama up defensively and put on yet another offensive clinic.
But before we dive into the dominance we just witnessed, let’s rewind a bit. In 2022, Duke basketball faced an identity crisis. The legendary Mike Krzyzewski, the heart and soul of the program, retired, leaving the Blue Devils in the hands of then-34-year-old Jon Scheyer. And who could have been a better pick than someone who’s bled blue since forever? As a player, as an assistant coach, as an associate HC and now a head coach.
Still, the weight of history and expectation was immense. Could he live up to it? Could Duke remain elite? Three years later, the answers to those questions seem pretty clear. Duke is back on the biggest stage in college basketball. And they got there in style. Freshman Kon Knueppel led the charge with 21 points as the Blue Blood program steamrolled Alabama 85-65. Cooper Flagg added 16, and three other starters also hit double figures. Duke shot a ridiculous 53.6% from the field and an even more absurd 46.2% from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, their defense completely neutralized Alabama’s All-American Mark Sears, who had torched BYU for 34 points in the Sweet 16 but was held to just six points on 2-of-12 shooting against Duke. The Crimson Tide, a team that lives and dies by the three, made just 8-of-32 from deep.
Yes, that’s what elite defense looks like!
After the game, Scheyer was inevitably asked the question every Duke coach will forever be asked: How do you handle the pressure of following Coach K? His answer was simple. He didn’t deny that, Obviously, there’s a legacy and responsibility. But he wasn’t interested in dwelling on it.
“This hasn’t been about outside noise for me. My energy has gone into everybody that’s in our building, our team, what we can control.” Basically, he’s not here to be the next Coach K. He’s here to be Jon Scheyer. And it’s working.
If you think stepping into a legend’s shoes is easy, just look around college basketball. Villanova already fired Kyle Neptune after he struggled to follow Jay Wright. Syracuse had to give Adrian Autry a vote of confidence just two seasons into replacing Jim Boeheim. Even North Carolina’s Hubert Davis has had his fair share of ups and downs. But even analysts agree that Scheyer is making it look seamless.
And while Duke’s return to the Final Four is the headline, let’s not forget another big story here. Tyrese Proctor’s redemption arc. If you don’t remember his last Elite Eight appearance, he sure does. He played 30 minutes and scored zero points. That had to sting. But this time? No chance. The junior guard put up 17 points on 70% shooting, adding five rebounds for good measure.
“I think that’s part of what college basketball is all about,” the Blue Devils HC said about Proctor’s bounce-back moment. “I failed before succeeding. That’s the game.” And that’s growth. He did add, “But for Tyrese in that moment, I think the maturity that he’s shown, his preparation throughout the summer, and we focused a lot of what we do on being ready to be at your best when your best is required.” It paid off, for sure.
And just like that, playing all cards right at the right time, the Blue Devils advanced. But are you also wondering, how did coach Scheyer make this turnaround happen?
Jon Scheyer built an elite roster
Well, the answer lies in the roster he built.
When Coach K retired, some critics scoffed at his farewell tour. But Scheyer saw it as a gift. It gave him an extra year to learn. And, crucially, Krzyzewski truly stepped aside, allowing Scheyer to make the program his own. The first major piece was recruiting a generational talent.
It all started when former NBA player Brian Scalabrine tipped Scheyer off about a 14-year-old kid from Maine named Cooper Flagg. A future Duke star from Maine? Sounded unlikely. Until Scheyer saw him play. The rest is history. But talent alone doesn’t win championships.
Last year, after a heartbreaking Elite Eight loss to NC State, Duke’s roster was gutted. Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain left for the NBA. Five players hit the transfer portal. Only Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster stuck around. That could have spelled disaster. Instead, it was an opportunity.
Scheyer and his staff went to work. They landed elite freshman talents like Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach. But they also targeted specific veteran role players in the transfer portal like Tulane’s Sion James, big man Maliq Brown, and Mason Gillis. The result was a perfectly balanced squad, blending young superstars with proven, ego-free veterans.
Feb 5, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer talks with guard Cooper Flagg (2) against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
This isn’t just the best Duke team in years. It might be the best since the 2015 title-winning group. Better than Zion and R.J. Barrett’s squad. More complete than the Paolo Banchero-led Final Four team. And they’re proving that a freshman-driven team can still win it all.
Now, they’re heading to San Antonio. Next stop is the Final Four. They will face the winner of Houston vs. Tennessee. And if this Jon Scheyer’s Duke squad keeps playing like this, whoever they face better be ready!
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