The Duke Blue Devils have long been synonymous with elite college basketball. From the era of Coach K, with legendary players like Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, and Zion Williamson, Duke has maintained a reputation as one of the most dominant and storied programs in NCAA basketball history. The transition from Coach Mike Krzyzewski to Jon Scheyer, the program’s first new head coach in over four decades, was bound to come with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. However, after a promising start under Scheyer’s leadership, the 2025-26 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and promising campaigns in Duke basketball history. With a combination of returning talent, highly-ranked recruits, and an evolving coaching strategy, the Blue Devils are poised to build another basketball powerhouse.
The Road to Rebuilding: A Glimpse at Scheyer’s First Two Seasons
Jon Scheyer’s first two seasons as Duke’s head coach (2022-2024) were not without their challenges, but they were also full of promise. Taking over from Coach K, who had built the program into a dynasty over the previous decades, was never going to be an easy task. In his inaugural season (2022-23), Scheyer led the Blue Devils to a strong finish, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament despite being in a rebuilding phase. Though they didn’t go as deep as the program’s rich history might suggest, the team showcased plenty of potential, particularly in its young core.
The 2023-24 season was a significant leap forward. The Blue Devils once again found themselves in the NCAA Tournament, but more importantly, the roster began to take shape with more consistency and strength. Scheyer’s ability to adapt to the modern era of college basketball while maintaining Duke’s traditional values of toughness, defense, and discipline was evident. Under his leadership, the Blue Devils saw significant improvements in both offense and defense, becoming one of the best teams in the ACC and consistently ranked among the top 10 in the nation.
A Loaded Roster: The 2025-26 Season
Heading into the 2025-26 season, Jon Scheyer has set the stage for what might be his most exciting season yet at Duke. The roster is loaded with both returning talent and a stellar recruiting class that ranks among the best in the country. This combination of experienced upperclassmen and dynamic freshmen has the potential to make the Blue Devils a legitimate contender for the national title.
The Return of Key Veterans
One of the biggest factors in the Blue Devils’ success heading into 2025-26 is the return of key players who have matured over the past few seasons. This includes a handful of upperclassmen who are expected to be team leaders, both on and off the court.
- Kyle Filipowski (F/C): After a breakout freshman season in 2023-24, Filipowski is poised to be one of the best big men in the country. Standing at 7-feet tall, his skill set is incredibly versatile—he can stretch the floor with his three-point shooting, dominate in the post, and protect the rim defensively. Filipowski has the potential to be a national Player of the Year candidate and is the centerpiece of Duke’s frontcourt. With another year of development, he could become the most dominant player in college basketball in 2025-26.
- Tyrese Proctor (PG): The Australian point guard will return as one of the top floor generals in college basketball. Proctor’s ability to control the tempo of the game, combined with his excellent passing and vision, makes him one of the best facilitators in the country. His experience and leadership will be crucial for Scheyer’s offense, especially as the Blue Devils look to integrate several young players into the mix. Proctor’s development in his second and third years under Scheyer should allow him to elevate his game to a new level.
- Jaden Schutt (SG): Schutt’s shooting ability from beyond the arc is something Duke has sorely missed in the past few seasons. As a sophomore, Schutt will have the opportunity to contribute more significantly to Duke’s offensive scheme. His ability to space the floor, stretch defenses, and hit clutch shots will be a key asset for the Blue Devils, especially as opposing teams begin to key in on Filipowski and Proctor.
A Star-Studded Freshman Class
While Duke has solid returning pieces, the incoming freshman class is what truly elevates the 2025-26 season into something special. Scheyer and his coaching staff have once again delivered one of the top recruiting classes in the country, loaded with future NBA talent and versatile players who fit the modern college basketball mold.
- Isaiah Evans (SG/SF): A 5-star recruit who has been compared to former Duke stars like Jayson Tatum, Evans is an electrifying wing player with the potential to be an immediate starter. His combination of athleticism, ball-handling, and shooting ability makes him a dangerous player on both ends of the floor. Evans is expected to contribute right away, potentially providing Duke with the type of dynamic scorer they haven’t had since RJ Barrett.
- Zion Webb (PG): A highly-rated point guard, Webb brings a level of speed and quickness that Duke’s backcourt has not seen in a while. His ability to drive to the basket, distribute, and make plays in transition will add another layer to Duke’s offense. Webb’s development alongside Proctor should provide a potent one-two punch in the backcourt, giving Duke the flexibility to shift between different styles of play.
- Blake Turner (PF): Known for his motor, toughness, and work ethic, Turner is a physical presence in the frontcourt. While not as polished offensively as some of his peers, his rebounding and defensive prowess will make him a key contributor in the rotation. Turner’s energy and leadership on the floor will give Duke an edge, especially in high-pressure moments.
A Changing System Under Scheyer
One of the defining factors of Duke’s success under Jon Scheyer is his ability to adapt and modernize the program’s approach to basketball. While Coach K was known for his emphasis on discipline and a more traditional style of play, Scheyer has embraced the evolving nature of the college game. He has pushed for a more up-tempo style of offense, with a greater emphasis on three-point shooting, transition play, and floor spacing. This has allowed Duke to match up more effectively against teams that rely on faster, more perimeter-oriented playstyles.
Scheyer’s offensive system is dynamic and versatile, designed to take full advantage of the talent on the roster. With the combination of athletic wings, skilled bigs like Filipowski, and dynamic playmakers like Proctor and Webb, Duke is able to run multiple offensive sets, creating opportunities both inside and out. On defense, Scheyer has kept the traditional Duke focus on strong team defense, but he’s added new elements to improve their ability to disrupt opposing offenses, forcing turnovers, and getting out in transition.
National Title Contention
With the combination of elite returning talent, one of the top recruiting classes, and an evolving style of play, the 2025-26 season has the potential to be one of the most exciting in recent memory for Duke basketball. The Blue Devils have the personnel to challenge the top teams in the country and make a deep run in March Madness. Their mix of experienced players and highly talented newcomers gives them the depth to compete on a national scale, and with Scheyer at the helm, the coaching is in place to help them navigate the pressures of high-level competition.
While programs like Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan State remain formidable, Duke’s blueprint for success in 2025-26 positions them as one of the most dangerous teams in college basketball. As the season unfolds, the Blue Devils will be aiming for nothing less than a return to the top of the college basketball world—and with the pieces they have in place, there’s no reason to believe they won’t achieve just that.
The 2025-26 season promises to be a defining year for Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils. With an elite mix of returning stars and incoming talent, Duke is set to become one of the most exciting and dangerous teams in the NCAA. Scheyer’s ability to blend traditional values with a modernized system, combined with the skill and depth of his roster, puts the Blue Devils in prime position to make another run at a national title. For Duke fans, the future is incredibly bright, and the 2025-26 season could very well be the year that Jon Scheyer takes his place as one of the new great head coaches in college basketball history.
