When most bluebloods dip their toes into the new college basketball season with a soft, feel-good win over a lesser-known mid-major or low-Division I program, Duke is doing the opposite. Instead of scheduling a so-called “cupcake” to pad the early resume, the Blue Devils are opting to dive headfirst into a national spotlight clash — a decision that sends a message about the program’s mentality and aspirations in the post-Krzyzewski era.
For head coach Jon Scheyer, now entering his third season at the helm, the message is loud and clear: Duke isn’t just aiming to be great eventually. The Blue Devils want to be elite immediately.
In an era where power conference teams often front-load their non-conference schedules with easy wins to ease into chemistry and build confidence, Duke’s choice to open its 2025-26 campaign against a nationally ranked opponent is unusual — and refreshing.
While the official season opener matchup hasn’t been formally confirmed by Duke Athletics, multiple reports indicate the Blue Devils will begin the season by facing either Kansas or Arizona in the annual State Farm Champions Classic or a similarly elite neutral-site showcase. Either opponent would place Duke squarely in the national spotlight from the jump.
Such a choice reflects more than just bravado. It signals trust in the team’s veteran leadership and the highly touted incoming freshman class that has already generated buzz.
“We don’t want to tiptoe into the season,” Scheyer said at a recent alumni event. “We want to be tested early. We want to find out who we are, where we need to grow, and show that we’re not afraid to play anyone, anytime, anywhere.”
Historically, even under Mike Krzyzewski, Duke was no stranger to blockbuster season openers. The program has regularly participated in the Champions Classic since its inception in 2011, facing the likes of Kentucky, Michigan State, and Kansas early in November.
But even in those years, Duke’s schedule typically featured a few “buy games” — matchups against smaller programs designed for development and fundraising purposes. Scheyer appears to be signaling a slight philosophical shift: fewer warmups, more real-time measuring sticks.
Last season, Duke opened with Dartmouth before facing Arizona in Game 2. That Arizona contest, an early loss at Cameron Indoor, provided the team with valuable lessons — ones that helped them win 24 games and reach the Sweet 16. But this time, the elite matchup is the opener.
One major reason Scheyer and his staff feel confident opening the year with a marquee showdown is the experience on the roster. Duke returns a core group of veterans who chose to come back rather than bolt for the NBA Draft or transfer portal. Chief among them:
- Tyrese Proctor, the poised Australian guard who averaged 11.7 points and 5.2 assists in 2024-25.
- Mark Mitchell, a versatile wing with two-way potential and defensive upside.
- Caleb Foster, who flashed brilliance during his freshman campaign and is expected to take a leap.
- Christian Reeves, now healthy and more refined, gives Duke true size and shot-blocking presence.
With those returners leading the charge, Duke boasts rare continuity for a program known for high one-and-done turnover. That experience gives the Blue Devils a leg up when it comes to preparing for a high-intensity opener.
“Our returners have been through it,” Scheyer said. “They’ve played in hostile environments, in March Madness, in top-10 games. That’s why we’re not shying away from this opportunity.”
Complementing Duke’s veteran core is yet another elite recruiting class. The 2025 group features multiple five-star prospects, including:
- Cooper Flagg – Arguably the most hyped prospect since Zion Williamson, Flagg is the centerpiece. His commitment to Duke was a seismic event in college hoops, and the Maine native brings elite defense, athleticism, and shot-creation.
- Isaiah Evans – A lanky, scoring wing who lit up high school and EYBL circuits.
- Patrick Ngongba II – A polished big man with a high basketball IQ, ideal for anchoring the frontcourt rotation.
With Flagg and Evans likely to start right away, Duke will lean heavily on its freshmen. That’s risky against elite opposition early — but it also offers a chance to harden these newcomers under real pressure.
“This class wants to play against the best,” said assistant coach Chris Carrawell. “They didn’t come here to play glorified scrimmages. They want the smoke.”
Some critics argue that avoiding a softer opener could backfire. A tough loss to open the season might damage team morale or create narrative concerns. But for Duke, the upside outweighs the risk.
A win over a ranked opponent would immediately vault the Blue Devils into the national top 5 — and create a recruiting buzz heading into early signing periods. Even in defeat, a hard-fought performance would provide valuable tape and galvanize the group.
Last year’s early loss to Arizona helped Duke in the long run. “We learned more from that one loss than from the five games we won afterward,” Proctor said in an interview this spring.
Analysts agree. “You’d rather play a top-10 team in November than see them for the first time in March,” said ESPN’s Jay Bilas. “If you’re Duke, you can afford to take that early test because your ceiling is so high.”
The high-profile opener is just one piece of Duke’s formidable non-conference slate. Sources say the Blue Devils will also participate in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, a loaded early-season tournament with a field that includes Michigan State, Baylor, and Creighton. Add in potential matchups against Illinois and a renewed home-and-home series with Texas, and Duke is shaping up to face as many as six preseason top-25 opponents before ACC play begins.
Such an aggressive schedule is strategic. With the ACC facing perception issues and declining NET rankings in recent years, Duke needs marquee wins outside the conference to bolster its NCAA Tournament résumé. These games also keep Duke battle-tested before the January grind.
“We know the ACC is tough,” Scheyer said, “but we also know the national picture matters. We want to be playing our best basketball in March — and you get there by challenging yourself in November.”
Beyond the on-court benefits, Duke’s scheduling reflects a cultural shift. Scheyer isn’t trying to copy Coach K’s blueprint exactly — he’s evolving it. That includes placing more emphasis on early adversity, modern analytics, and mentally resilient team building.
Rather than protect players with easy games early on, Scheyer wants to develop their toughness and poise under fire. It’s a nod to today’s landscape where top players may only stay for a year — or even half a season if they opt to leave mid-year for draft prep. With that in mind, urgency matters.
“You don’t have the luxury of easing in anymore,” Scheyer told The Athletic. “If you wait until January to figure things out, the season can pass you by. We’re going to learn in real time — even if that means learning the hard way.”
When Duke steps onto the court for its season opener — likely on national television in front of a sold-out arena — the stakes will feel like March. And that’s by design. There will be no hiding. No false confidence built on a 35-point blowout over a team ranked in the 300s.
Instead, Duke is choosing discomfort, urgency, and pressure. All with the belief that such a trial by fire will forge a Final Four contender.
In an age where some programs prioritize early wins and analytics-friendly scheduling, the Blue Devils are betting on a different formula: iron sharpens iron.
“We want to be tested,” said Flagg in his first media appearance. “That’s why I came to Duke — to play the best, right away.”
As the college basketball world prepares for another thrilling season, Duke’s approach to its opener stands out. In an environment where risk is often avoided, the Blue Devils are embracing it. They’re not looking for cupcakes. They’re looking for clarity — about who they are, who they can become, and what it takes to win at the highest level.
It’s a gamble. But for a program with Duke’s pedigree, talent, and ambition, it may just be the perfect one.
