Duke Blue Devils Men's Basketball: A New Era Under Jon Scheyer

A Historic Program

The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball program is one of the most successful in college basketball history. With five national championships, 12 Final Four appearances, and 21 ACC Tournament titles, the Blue Devils have established themselves as a perennial powerhouse.

A Coaching Change

In 2022, Mike Krzyzewski, the legendary coach who led Duke to all of its national championships, retired. In his place, Jon Scheyer, a former Duke player and assistant coach, took over the reins of the program.

Scheyer's Vision

Scheyer has brought a fresh perspective to the Duke program while maintaining its core values. He has emphasized player development, both on and off the court, and has implemented an up-tempo, high-scoring style of play.

The 2022-23 Season

The 2022-23 season marked Scheyer's first as head coach of the Blue Devils. Despite losing several key players from the previous season, Duke remained a top-10 team throughout the year.

Early Success

Duke started the season with a 7-0 record, including wins over top-25 teams Kansas and Purdue. The Blue Devils also won the Maui Invitational tournament, defeating Creighton, Arkansas, and Xavier.

Challenges and Growth

However, Duke faced some challenges as the season progressed. The Blue Devils struggled to maintain their early momentum, losing several games in conference play.

Despite these setbacks, Scheyer remained focused on developing his players and implementing his system. Duke showed significant growth throughout the season, particularly in the areas of defense and rebounding.

The Future of Duke Basketball

The 2022-23 season may not have ended with a national championship, but it laid the foundation for a bright future under Jon Scheyer. The Blue Devils have a talented roster returning next season, led by All-American candidate Dariq Whitehead, and they will be poised to make a run at the title.

Conclusion

The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball program is entering a new era under Jon Scheyer. While the transition may not have been seamless, Scheyer has shown that he is capable of leading Duke back to the top of college basketball.