With 124 wins in his first four seasons, it’s fair to say that Jon Scheyer has continued right where Mike Krzyzewski left off since succeeding him as Duke’s head coach back in 2022. The first four seasons for Scheyer’s tenure have included multiple ACC titles and three deep postseason runs, including that Final Four run in 2025. However, Duke has yet to finish the job despite extraordinary talent on the roster and that remains the goal in Durham.
Last year didn’t see the Blue Devils bring another national championship home, but it was another fantastic effort for Cameron Boozer and company. Duke finished the season 35-3, won both the regular season and tournament crowns in the ACC, and advanced to the Elite Eight before a devastating final seconds cost them against UConn.
Huge talent leaves Duke
With Boozer and Isaiah Evans off to the NBA, there’s a new crop of young talent coming to Durham but let’s not act like this is some freshman crew. Duke actually returns four significant pieces from last year’s roster and will certainly have a more experienced unit this season. Throw in two very notable additions from the transfer portal with that nationally prominent recruiting class and Duke could arguably have the most talented rotation in the country.
A lineup literally dripping with talent comes together and gives Duke another very real chance at Scheyer’s first national championship. There will be plenty attention on him and these Blue Devils in the season ahead, but let’s get a little more familiar with who’s back and who’s new in this lineup.
Projected Starters
Guard – Caleb Foster (Senior)
It’s almost incredible that Foster is back for his fourth seasons with the Blue Devils, as the former Top 20 prospect is fresh off his best season in Durham. He put up 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in a starting role last season while making 40% of his 3-pointers. There are several choices, but Foster seems primed to run the point with all of his experience, though his playmaking and shooting ability certainly helps keep him on the court.
Guard – John Blackwell (Senior)
The immensely important transfer piece of this puzzle, Blackwell joins Duke after three prior seasons at Wisconsin, developing into one of the best scorers in the Big Ten. His junior season was magnificent with 19.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game and a 39% mark from outside the arc. Blackwell is an experienced scorer and an incredible veteran addition to this young lineup whose presence pays off in many ways.
Guard/Forward – Dame Sarr (Sophomore)
After arriving as a highly-regarded recruit last season, Sarr carved out a rather important role with the Blue Devils, starting a majority of their games as a true freshman. The 6-8 wing put up 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds a night with solid shooting figures and could be in line for a major increase in production heading into his sophomore year. The native Italian is an excellent passer, disrupter, and slasher though we’ll see how his game develops overall in year two.
Forward/Center – Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje (Freshman)
A potential top pick in the 2027 NBA Draft, Boumtje-Boumtje is an incredible athlete who figures to play a monumental role right away for the Blue Devils. A 6-11 big man who can score and defend at a very high level, he put up fantastic numbers and has great physical attributes, with great movement for his size and impressive work both on offense and on defense.
Center – Patrick Ngongba II (Junior)
Last season was an important one for Ngongba, who took a major step forward in his development as a sophomore. The former Top 25 prospect from Virginia spent much of the season as Duke’s starting center, averaging 10.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Expect more of the same in this high-powered lineup, with Nogongba’s size and strength paying off in a major way while he also made nearly 68% of his 2-point attempts last season.
Key Reserves
Guard – Cayden Boozer (Sophomore)
One could argue that Boozer failed to live up to expectations last season, but he really found his footing and was a starter down the stretch for the Blue Devils. The former Top 20 prospect won’t be playing with his brother after averaging 7.7 points and 3.0 assists per game last season but should still see significant minutes running the point with his elite speed and intelligence.
Guard – Deron Rippey Jr. (Freshman)
Another significant piece of this freshman class, Rippey is a 5-star point guard from Brooklyn who also will figure into that competition at the point. The scouting report on Rippey lauds his explosiveness and burst. He’s a great athlete who excels on the defensive end and can develop into an elite floor general with decent shot-making ability.
Forward – Drew Scharnowski (Senior)
We saw a major step forward from Scharnowski in his third year with Belmont, but he’s now taking his talents to Duke and adding experience to this young frontcourt. That junior year with the Bruins saw him at 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, developing into a reliable post weapon at 69% shooting inside the arc. Duke loves what he brings with his high level of play and impressive defense, and that’s exactly where he’ll thrive in this talented lineup.
Guard – Bryson Howard (Freshman)
The lowest rated recruit we’re mentioning today, Howard is still a 4-star shooting guard considered a Top 30 prospect who absolutely stands to play notable minutes early in his career. He’s a feisty lefty with great size and wingspan who can put the ball in the court from nearly every spot. Between that versatility and the fact that his father was an All-American, Howard’s set up for success and very familiar with frontcourt play.
Forward – Cameron Williams (Freshman)
Williams is the furthest thing from an afterthought in this impressive lineup. He’s a 6-11 big man from Phoenix and considered a Top 5 prospect in this recruiting class. His size is significant and leads into his elite shot blocking and defensive nature, while he’s also a smooth and fluid athlete who contributes naturally on offense. We may not have him penciled into the starting five but that might change before the season begins because he’s a real deal type of prospect.
Schedule Outlook
After two early home games to play around with these lineups, Duke is under the lights in Chicago for the Champions Classic, playing Michigan State on November 10th. They’ll then have two more games back home in Durham, but a lot of eyes will be on that second matchup. The Blue Devils have a huge clash with a very talented Illinois squad on November 17th.
That’s far from the end of the intriguing matchups, though Duke should be able to handle Washington State in Palm Desert, playing that game November 21st as part of the Acrisure Series. Four days later, the Blue Devils have a pre-Thanksgiving tussle in Las Vegas against UConn in a rematch of that Elite Eight thriller. They’ll then take their show on the road for the first time, playing at Florida on December 1st for their part in the ACC/SEC Challenge.
A week later, the Blue Devils play the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in a matchup against Georgia, another SEC opponent. They’ll have a few more tune-ups at home during December, but are actually back in New York City one more time. Another Madison Square Garden clash comes December 21st against a very talented Texas Tech program in the final nonconference game.
Many eyes will be on a Duke team expected to win a ton of games once again during ACC play. The Blue Devils have a very easy start to conference play but then things get tougher at the end of January. Their only matchups with Clemson and Louisville come at home in the back half of the schedule, so that’s not the easiest break. February 20th brings a trip to Detroit and a highly-anticipated matchup with Gonzaga before two more weeks of ACC play, including the season ending in Chapel Hill with rival North Carolina.
Season Outlook
With talent off the charts and a mix of prospects both young and veteran, Duke has checked a ton of boxes in the offseason and in the year ahead. While many teams are waiting on eligibility calls or figuring out who’s contributing, Duke’s biggest challenge is figuring out the right starting lineup, and there may not be a concrete answer.
The point guard position is the biggest question mark. Foster is an incredible athlete who played a ton of minutes and knows Duke basketball as a senior. Boozer really came into his own down the stretch in that role, while Rippey looks the part of the next young backcourt stud for the Blue Devils. There’s almost no wrong choice here for Scheyer, who will have to work all three into major roles in this lineup. Let’s not ignore the importance of a phenomenal shower in Blackwell joining the team as well.
Another big decision comes at the 4, as Duke decides who is best off lining up next to Ngongba. It’s another insane decision with no wrong answers, as a pair of Top 5 freshmen vie in Boumtje-Boumtje and Williams. There’s no question that both will see considerable minutes and production and both could be lottery picks eight months from now. Let’s not ignore that other transfer addition, as Scharnowski will play critical minutes thanks to his defense.
Duke is spoiled with riches this season, but it’s all about what happens on the court when the games matter most. The Blue Devils faltered on the Elite Eight stage last March with a lineup that absolutely could’ve gone all the way. This lineup might be even more talented and it all depends on how Scheyer and this squad come together as the season progresses. Early goals like nonconference dominance and ACC titles are nice, but will this team cut down the nets in early April?
Add us as a preferred source on Google