Category: Duke Blue Devils

As of February 11, 2025, there is no credible information or reports indicating that Jon Scheyer has resigned as head coach of the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team. In fact, on October 20, 2023, Scheyer agreed to a six-year contract extension, keeping him with Duke through the 2028–29 season.

Jon Scheyer, a former Duke player and assistant coach, became the 20th head coach in the program’s history in April 2022, succeeding the legendary Mike Krzyzewski. Under his leadership, the Blue Devils have maintained a strong performance, including a 27–9 record in the 2022–23 season and a 27–9 record in the 2023–24 season, advancing to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.

Given the lack of credible sources reporting such a resignation, it is likely that the claim of Jon Scheyer stepping down is inaccurate or based on misinformation. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to consult official Duke University communications or reputable sports news outlets.

Cooper Flagg, the standout freshman for the Duke Blue Devils, has solidified his commitment to the team by agreeing to a contract renewal. This decision underscores his dedication to Duke’s basketball program and his aspirations for a successful collegiate career.

Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward from Newport, Maine, has been a revelation since joining the Blue Devils. Through 17 games, he leads the team with averages of 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. His exceptional performance includes setting the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) freshman single-game scoring record with 42 points in a victory over Notre Dame on January 11, 2025.

Beyond his on-court achievements, Flagg has made significant strides in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) arena. In January 2025, he signed an exclusive multi-year deal with Fanatics, encompassing trading cards, autographs, and memorabilia. This partnership highlights his growing influence both within and beyond the basketball community.

Flagg’s decision to renew his commitment to Duke is a testament to his focus on collegiate success and his potential to make a lasting impact in college basketball. As he continues to excel on the court and expand his NIL portfolio, Flagg’s future in the sport remains exceptionally promising.

Duke basketball’s dream of an undefeated run through the ACC ended Saturday night at Clemson.

The second-ranked Blue Devils fell 77-71 to the Tigers, who snapped Duke’s 16-game winning streak with a court-storming victory at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Blue Devils (20-3, 12-1 ACC) had a 71-70 lead with 58 seconds left, but Duke missed its final three shots and Clemson (19-5, 11-2) scored the final seven points to pull off the upset.

“For me, it’s our defense. For me, it’s the loose balls. Give (Clemson) all the credit in the world,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “. … We just fell a play short. For me, it’s the defense.”

Here’s what went wrong at Clemson in Duke’s first loss since Thanksgiving week.

Cooper Flagg, one of the favorites to win national player of the year, finished with 18 points and drilled a 3-pointer to give Duke a one-point lead with 58 seconds left. But it was an inefficient night for Flagg – the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft – who missed 11 of his 17 shots.

The 6-foot-9 forward gave Duke a chance by scoring 14 of the Blue Devils’ final 17 points, but he slipped on the floor for a critical turnover with 14 seconds left and Clemson made free throws to ice it.

Duke missed 20 of its 29 shots in the second half and Flagg made four of the nine buckets.

Duke entered with a rebounding margin close to plus-9 before Clemson flipped the script with a dominant performance on the glass. The Blue Devils were out-rebounded by 13 against the Tigers, who had 11 offensive rebounds for 15 second-chance points. Ian Schieffelin had 10 rebounds and added 12 points in a double-double performance. No Duke player had more than five rebounds and the Blue Devils were beaten on the boards for the third game in a row.

Schieffelin did most of the dirty work against Duke, but Viktor Lakhin presented the biggest problem for the Blue Devils. Lakhin scored 22 points, matching Duke’s points in the paint as the Tigers finished with 11 layups and a dunk. The Devils were outscored 40-22 on the interior, missing 11 of their 18 layup attempts.

Lahkin and the Tigers stayed in attack mode, getting Duke’s top big men – Khaman Maluach and Maliq Brown – in foul trouble. According to KenPom.com, Duke had the best two-point defense (41.7%) in the nation entering its game at Clemson. The Tigers attacked that strength and made it a weakness to beat the Blue Devils, finishing 26-for-41 (63.4%) from inside the arc.

Duke’s defense has been the driving force behind its dominance this season. On Saturday night at Clemson, the Blue Devils’ defense was the reason Duke lost as the Tigers became the first team this season to shoot better than 50% against the Devils.

Clemson

Accidental, or intentional?

That was the question surrounding a play in Saturday night’s Clemson-Duke men’s basketball game that ended with a Blue Devils player being retroactively whistled for a Flagrant 1 foul at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The first-half incident between Duke forward Kon Knueppel and Clemson guard Jaeden Zackery didn’t directly impact the result of the game, a 77-71 Clemson upset win that snapped No. 2 Duke’s 16-game winning streak.

But the moment drew significant attention from the ESPN broadcasting crew, appeared to anger Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer and prompted social media chatter during the ACC contest, given Duke basketball’s history with tripping incidents.

Here’s what happened:

With about five minutes remaining in the first half, Zackery was guarding Knueppel and deflected a pass intended for him near the top of the key. Knueppel and Clemson forward Chauncey Wiggins chased the ball into the backcourt and dove toward it.

Knueppel tipped the ball forward a second time as Zackery gave chase and ultimately secured possession, tossing it to a teammate from the ground. Then, as Duke pushed the ball back up court, Zackery (who was standing, bent over) and Knueppel (who was on the floor) got tangled up.

Zackery fell and hit the ground. He immediately gestured toward a nearby ref and indicated Knueppel had tripped him as he tried to get back on defense, replays of the play in the arena and on ESPN showed.

Lead referee Ron Groover let Duke’s next possession play out but stopped the game on the next possession change to review the play for a possible flagrant foul.

Scheyer was visibly upset with the officials for initiating the review, the broadcast showed.

ESPN’s broadcasting crew of play-by-play announcer Dave O’Brien and analysts Corey Alexander and Dick Vitale also covered the moment substantially.

A close-up of the play on the broadcast showed that Zackery’s left leg got trapped between both of Knueppel’s legs as Zackery tried to run back into the play and Knueppel started to get up from the ground.

“Watch Knueppel,” Alexander said. “Does he trip Jaeden Zackery?”

Fans in Littlejohn Coliseum certainly thought so as replays of the fall played on the arena videoboard. Alexander and Vitale did, too. Both ESPN analysts said they agreed with refs’ decision to assess Knueppel with a Flagrant 1 foul on the play.

“I’ve got one eye, not two like you guys, and I think it’s Flagrant 1,” joked Vitale, 85, who is blind in one eye. “I think it’s Flagrant 1. I really do.”

“I believe you have to call it,” Alexander added.

Groover, the lead ref, announced after a brief review that Knueppel had been called for a Flagrant 1 foul and as a result Zackery would shoot two free throws and Clemson would get possession. Groover didn’t use the word “tripping” or give a specific reason for the flagrant foul.

The NCAA defines a Flagrant 1 foul in basketball as a play that is either “excessive and/or unnecessary,” “not a legitimate play on the ball” or a “hold or push from behind.” A Flagrant 1 foul (unlike a Flagrant 2) doesn’t mean the player is ejected.

The foul was Knueppel’s second of the game. He did not foul out of Duke’s loss but was hampered by foul trouble in the second half after getting called for his fourth (one short of disqualification) with 9:54 remaining and finished with 14 points.

Neither Knueppel nor Zackery spoke to the media postgame. Scheyer was not asked about the play in his postgame news conference, and Clemson coach Brad Brownell said he hadn’t seen the play live in the moment or watched a replay of it.

“I never saw it,” he said. “Haven’t seen anything with it.”

Some observers of Saturday’s game on social media quickly made the connection between the Flagrant 1 foul on Knueppel and past incidents with Duke basketball.

Former Duke and current NBA player Grayson Allen was disciplined for tripping opposing players three times across two seasons in 2016 when he played for the Blue Devils, the News & Observer previously reported.

More recently, former UNC player Harrison Ingram also said last season he felt like former Duke player Kyle Filipowski tripped him during a 2024 game. Filipowski said he didn’t intentionally try to trip Ingram and his foot had slipped.

In a recent game against Clemson, Duke’s freshman standout, Cooper Flagg, experienced a pivotal moment that contributed to the Blue Devils’ 77-71 loss. With the game tied and under a minute remaining, Flagg drove toward the basket but slipped on a wet spot on the court, resulting in a travel violation. This misstep halted Duke’s momentum and allowed Clemson to regain the lead, ultimately leading to their victory.

After the game, Flagg addressed the incident, noting the challenging playing conditions. He mentioned that the floor was “really holding the water” due to the high humidity in Littlejohn Coliseum, leading to “wet spots all over the court.” Despite this, Flagg acknowledged the need to adapt to such circumstances, stating, “At the end of the day, just got to make a play.”

Duke’s head coach, Jon Scheyer, defended Flagg’s aggressive play, emphasizing that the slip was an unfortunate break. He remarked, “Cooper was being Cooper there. He has a special will. I thought he got the advantage downhill. I’m taking that any day of the week. And there’s a wet spot. Sometimes, that’s how it goes.”

Despite the loss, Flagg’s performance was notable. He scored 18 points, with 14 coming in the final six minutes, and grabbed five rebounds. His late-game efforts, including a crucial three-pointer that briefly gave Duke the lead, showcased his resilience and skill.

This game marked Duke’s first loss since November, ending their 16-game winning streak. The Blue Devils will look to rebound in their upcoming games, with Flagg’s leadership and adaptability being key factors in their performance.

 

The Blue Devils lost to Clemson on Saturday.

Duke fans knew the sun would come up on Sunday morning.

The Blue Devils suffered a 77-71 upset to unranked Clemson on Saturday at Littlejohn Coliseum. The loss halted a 13-game winning streak for Duke as the Blue Devils had climbed to No. 2 in rankings.

With No. 1 Auburn also losing on Saturday to No. 6 Florida, a win for Duke would have certainly meant being at the top of college basketball and pushing the winning streak to 14 games. Early on during that winning streak, Duke even beat Auburn 84-78 as part of the SEC/ACC Men’s Challenge.

But it’s still only February. When you’re in as comfortable of a spot as the Blue Devils, one measly loss doesn’t matter much until March.

The Blue Devils are still atop ACC standings with just one conference loss. They will still also likely be a projected No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament.

As Duke fans know what all is at stake and that an upset in February isn’t their Super Bowl worth storming a court for, they were seemingly unbothered by the upset this weekend as they eye what’s ahead.

In a thrilling ACC matchup on February 8, 2025, the Clemson Tigers ended the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils’ 16-game winning streak with a 77-71 victory at Littlejohn Coliseum. This win propelled Clemson to a 19-5 overall record and 11-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, bringing them closer to first-place Duke, who now stands at 20-3 and 12-1 in the ACC.

Clemson’s Viktor Lakhin led all scorers with 22 points, while Chase Hunter made critical plays down the stretch, including a go-ahead basket in the final minute and four free throws in the last 15 seconds, finishing with 14 points.

Duke’s Tyrese Proctor scored a season-high 23 points, and Cooper Flagg added 18 points. Despite a late surge by Flagg, who scored 14 of the Blue Devils’ final 17 points, Duke struggled with shooting, missing 20 of their 29 shots in the second half. A critical turnover by Flagg in the final moments allowed Clemson to secure the win.

The game was also marked by the return of legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale to the commentary booth after battling multiple forms of cancer. Vitale, who had not called a men’s college basketball game since April 2023, received a standing ovation from the crowd. He expressed his joy at returning to the sport, stating, “This is like my Super Bowl, being able to be sitting courtside and do a game.”

This victory not only ended Duke’s winning streak but also served as a significant statement for Clemson’s program, showcasing their resilience and ability to compete at the highest level.

For the first time since November, and the first time in ACC play, Duke suffered a loss, falling 77-71 to Clemson on the road at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Blue Devils held a one-point lead with under a minute to go, but a clutch layup from Clemson’s Chase Hunter and another costly slip by Cooper Flagg sealed their fate.

The final moments will stick with Duke fans, particularly Flagg’s slip that led to a crucial travel violation with just under 14.7 seconds remaining. However, the loss wasn’t just about one play. The Tigers dominated the paint, outscoring Duke 40-22 inside, and opened the second half with a 21-8 run that put the Blue Devils on their heels.

Flagg, a projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick, struggled early, scoring just four points through the first 34 minutes while shooting 2-for-11 from the field. But when Duke needed a spark, he delivered. He went on a personal scoring run late, knocking down free throws, hitting threes, and grabbing a key offensive rebound while battling leg cramps. His go-ahead three with under a minute left had the Blue Devils on the verge of a 17th straight win.

Then, disaster struck. After Clemson reclaimed the lead at 73-71, Flagg drove inside but lost his footing, resulting in a travel call that mirrored Duke’s late-game struggles in their two previous losses. Clemson capitalized at the foul line, and a game-sealing block on Tyrese Proctor’s drive ended Duke’s hopes.

After the game, head coach Jon Scheyer defended Flagg’s aggressive play, emphasizing that the slip was an unfortunate break.

“Cooper was being Cooper there. He has a special will,” Scheyer said, per Duke Wire. “I thought he got the advantage downhill. I’m taking that any day of the week. And there’s a wet spot. Sometimes, that’s how it goes. But, he really made every play just in the last couple minutes to will us and I want to get him downhill.”

Flagg finished the evening with 18 points, five rebounds, one assist, three steals and one block while shooting 6-of-17 from the field and 3-of-6 from the three-point line.

Now, Duke (20-3, 12-1 ACC) will have to regroup, with Flagg and company looking to bounce back as ACC play continues.

ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale will call his first game with the network in nearly two years on Saturday when the Clemson Tigers host the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils.

Vitale’s triumphant return to the broadcast booth comes after he was successfully treated for multiple forms of cancer. Vitale has dealt with lymphoma, melanoma and vocal cord cancer, and also had cancerous lymph nodes removed from his neck.

The 85-year-old has been a mainstay at ESPN since 1979, and college basketball is much better with him healthy and on the airwaves.

ESPN produced a video montage to celebrate Vitale’s return on Saturday. Here’s the full video below:

Khaman Maluach, one of the standout players for the Duke Blue Devils, has been diagnosed with a career-ending injury that will prevent him from playing basketball again. The injury, which occurred during a recent practice session, has sent shockwaves through the Duke basketball community and the sport at large.

Maluach, who was poised for a breakout year, had shown immense promise as a versatile forward, known for his athleticism, defensive skills, and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor. His journey to the Blue Devils had been nothing short of inspiring, with Maluach overcoming numerous obstacles to make a name for himself at the collegiate level. His unique blend of size and skill had made him a key piece of Duke’s roster this season, and his leadership both on and off the court had made him a fan favorite.

Team officials confirmed that after extensive medical evaluations, it was determined that Maluach’s injury was severe enough to end his basketball career. The specifics of the injury have not been fully disclosed, but sources indicate that it involves significant damage to his knee and surrounding ligaments.

Duke’s head coach expressed deep sadness over the news, calling it “a devastating moment for Khaman and for all of us at Duke.” The entire Blue Devils organization, including players, coaching staff, and fans, have rallied around Maluach in this difficult time, offering their support and best wishes for his recovery and future.

Although Maluach’s basketball career has come to an untimely end, his legacy at Duke will not be forgotten. His determination, work ethic, and character have left an indelible mark on the program.