Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils lost a ton of talent from the squad that reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament Final Four.
A Loaded Slate for a Reloaded Duke Squad
Yet Scheyer and his staff did what Duke always seems to do, reload. With another elite recruiting class and transfer additions, the Blue Devils enter the new season with high expectations. Their non-conference schedule will immediately test the team’s chemistry and depth.
November 4: Duke vs. Texas (Charlotte)
The Blue Devils waste no time jumping into the deep end. Their season opener comes not at Cameron Indoor, but in Charlotte against Texas. Though the Longhorns are rebuilding, this early neutral-site matchup gives Duke a chance to see how their young talent responds to a pressure setting. Duke has dominated this all-time series 5–0, but the key here will be Scheyer’s rotations and the early cohesion of his new roster.
November 8: Western Carolina Comes to Cameron
The home opener in Durham is always special. Western Carolina last faced Duke in 2016, a game that ended in a 50-point blowout for the Blue Devils. Expect a similar result, but also a chance for fans to meet the next wave of Duke stars under the Cameron lights.
November 11: Home Test with Army
Army brings discipline and structure, but Duke’s athleticism and size will be overwhelming. This will be the middle game of Duke’s three-game homestand, giving Scheyer another opportunity to evaluate lineups before the schedule stiffens.
November 14: Indiana State Visits Durham
The Sycamores will make the trip from the Missouri Valley, but they’ll be short-handed with health concerns in the coaching staff. Duke should handle this one comfortably, though Scheyer will want to see improved defensive consistency heading into marquee matchups.
November 18: Duke vs. Kansas (New York City)
It doesn’t get much better than Duke-Kansas at Madison Square Garden. The two bluebloods collide in the Champions Classic, and Kansas has taken the last two meetings. The Jayhawks edged Duke 75–72 last year, so expect the Blue Devils to come out motivated. This will be an early measuring stick for how tournament-ready Scheyer’s new group really is.
November 21 and 23: Niagara and Howard in Durham
Two more home games follow in quick succession, as Niagara and Howard visit Cameron Indoor. Both will likely serve as tune-ups before the next high-profile matchup. Duke should use these games to build depth and confidence before heading to Chicago.
November 27: Duke vs. Arkansas (Chicago)
The Blue Devils and Razorbacks renew an old rivalry, this time with John Calipari now leading Arkansas. These two storied programs last met in 2023, when Arkansas upset Duke in November. Expect a revenge-minded Blue Devils squad to bring energy in this neutral-site clash. The all-time series sits at 3–2 in favor of Duke, but this one could be a battle to the wire.
December 2: Florida Comes to Durham
In a matchup of last season’s Final Four teams, Duke hosts defending champion Florida in a true test at Cameron. Both teams came within a whisker of meeting in the title game last March. Duke leads the all-time series 5–2 and last beat the Gators in 2017, but Florida’s physicality will make this one of the toughest games on the non-conference slate.
December 6: Road Showdown at Michigan State
The Blue Devils’ first true road game of the season will be a battle in East Lansing. Michigan State remains one of the nation’s toughest environments, but Duke has dominated the rivalry historically, winning 15 of 18 matchups. The last meeting came in the 2023 Champions Classic, where Duke won 74–65. Expect another fierce contest between two well-coached, veteran teams.
December 16: Lipscomb Heads to Cameron
After a demanding road stretch, Lipscomb provides a welcome return home for Duke. This will be another opportunity for younger players to gain experience before one final marquee test in New York City.
December 20: Duke vs. Texas Tech (New York City)
The final non-conference game takes place under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, where Duke will meet Texas Tech in a clash of last season’s Elite Eight teams. The Blue Devils have won two straight in the series, including a 2023 NCAA Tournament victory. Expect a fast-paced, physical game that caps off an elite non-conference schedule.
Building for March
Jon Scheyer’s young roster will be tested from day one, and that’s exactly how he wants it. With national showdowns, rivalries renewed, and a trip through multiple neutral-site venues, Duke’s non-conference schedule will prepare this group for the grind of ACC play. By the time March rolls around, these early challenges could pay massive dividends in another deep postseason run.