The 2024-25 season was one to remember for the Duke Blue Devils

Under head coach Jon Scheyer, Duke finished with an impressive 35-4 record, capturing both the ACC regular season and tournament titles, and making a run all the way to the NCAA Final Four.

The Blue Devils were loaded with talent, including standout freshmen Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach, as well as veteran guard Tyrese Proctor. While the 2025-26 squad will have a different look, Duke remains firmly entrenched as a powerhouse in college basketball.

Scheyer has built a reputation as a players’ coach — a sentiment echoed repeatedly by his stars throughout the season. Both Flagg and Knueppel spoke often about their loyalty and drive to play for him. Tyrese Proctor, who recently declared for the NBA Draft, shared similar praise. His mother, Melissa Proctor, even took to social media to thank Scheyer personally, writing, “So thankful for you Jon,” accompanied by two blue heart emojis.

 

Proctor averaged 12.4 points per game on 45.2% shooting in his final season. In Duke’s Final Four loss to Houston, he contributed seven points in 37 minutes of action.

Despite the impending departures of key players, the future remains bright in Durham. With 18 Final Four appearances and five national titles to their name — the last in 2015 — the Blue Devils are well-positioned for another deep tournament run in 2025-26.

A Duke basketball veteran believes that a 5-star is attempting to “leverage” UNC through the Ball Durham transfer portal.

The former Duke star was left shocked by a major transfer portal move on Monday afternoon.

In today’s era of frequent college basketball transfers, surprises are rare—but a former Duke basketball icon was caught off guard by the unexpected decision of North Carolina’s 5-star guard, Ian Jackson.

Jackson officially entered the transfer portal, ending his tenure with the Tar Heels after just one season. He posted averages of 11.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 0.6 steals per game, shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc.

Initially projected as a one-and-done talent and a McDonald’s All-American, Jackson’s path to the NBA hasn’t materialized as expected, and now he’s seeking a fresh start for his sophomore year. Schools like St. John’s, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Georgia have already expressed interest.

Jay Williams, a Duke legend and current ESPN analyst, was baffled by the move. He suggested on X (formerly Twitter) that the transfer might be a strategy to increase his NIL value:
“This could just be a play to negotiate a higher salary & leverage the marketplace… it has to be. UNC can’t let him get away.”

But UNC has, in fact, let him walk. Head coach Hubert Davis is now under pressure to revamp the program following a disappointing NCAA Tournament exit in the Round of 64, despite winning their First Four matchup.

Had North Carolina not squeaked into March Madness this season—against many predictions—it would have marked their second absence in four years under Davis. Critics have suggested Jackson was underutilized, largely relegated to playing off the ball while RJ Davis finished his final season. Now, with both Jackson and fellow standout Elliot Cadeau entering the portal, UNC is left reeling and in search of a reset.

A commitment to UNC basketball was made by the top basketball recruits in the class of 2025.

UNC Basketball Reloads with Elite Talent, Lands Top-10 Recruit Caleb Wilson

The North Carolina Tar Heels have added another major piece to their future with a commitment from 5-star forward Caleb Wilson. The 6-foot-9 standout from Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta is ranked No. 6 in the 2025 class and gives UNC a huge boost in the frontcourt.

Incoming Class Highlights

• Caleb Wilson: A versatile 6’9” forward with elite two-way potential.

• Isaiah Denis: Skilled combo guard from Davidson Day (NC), bringing offensive versatility.

• Derek Dixon: Another dynamic combo guard from Gonzaga (D.C.), known for his scoring and quickness.

Transfer Additions to Watch

The Tar Heels aren’t just building through high school recruiting—several key transfers are also on the radar to strengthen the roster:

• Kyan Evans (Colorado State): A crafty shooter and playmaker who adds instant depth.

• Kanon Catchings (BYU): Talented forward planning an official visit to Chapel Hill.

• Tre Holloman (Michigan State): Experienced point guard evaluating UNC as his next destination.

Backcourt Strength Remains a Tar Heel Staple

With several returning veterans and rising stars, UNC’s backcourt is shaping up to be elite:

• RJ Davis: The reigning ACC Player of the Year is back to chase another deep tournament run.

• Elliot Cadeau: Entering year two with sky-high expectations after a promising freshman season.

• Seth Trimble: A tenacious perimeter defender returning after a brief transfer portal entry.

With a mix of top-tier high school talent and experienced transfers, Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels are building a squad capable of contending on the national stage once again.

The top uncommitted basketball recruit switches his commitment to Duke.

In a stunning this decision is a setback to the other schools that had been fighting for the recruit’s commitment, but it solidifies Duke’s status as one of college basketball’s most top teams.

With a combination of seasoned players and intriguing rookies, Duke is once again poised to compete for the national championship in the next season.ng change of events, one of the country’s top uncommitted basketball recruits has decided to reverse their promise and sign with Duke UniThis decisThis decision is a setback to the other schools that had been fighting for the recruit’s commitment, but it solidifies Duke’s status as one of college basketball’s most top teams.

With a combination of seasoned players and intriguing rookies, Duke is once again poised to compete for the national championship in the next season.ion is a setback to the other schools that had been fighting for the recruit’s commitment, but it solidifies Duke’s status as one of college basketball’s most top teams. With a combination of seasoned players and intriguing rookies, Duke is once again poised to compete for the national championship in the next season.versity, sending shockwaves through the college basketball recruiting scene. The player, who had previously committed to another major institution, revealed his choice in a public statement, noting Duke’s successful heritage, great coaching staff, and the opportunity to flourish at one of the country’s most prominent basketball programs.

This switch is a significant victory for Duke, which has long been a collegiate basketball powerhouse, constantly generating NBA-level players and challenging for national titles. Duke has continued to establish itself as a strong force in both recruiting and on-court performance under head coach Jon Scheyer, and this newest pledge further strengthens the program’s reputation.

The recruit, who was highly sought after by colleges around the country, is renowned for his exceptional talent, athleticism, and basketball IQ. Over the last several years, they’ve developed as one of the most sought-after prospects in their class, catching the attention of scouts and coaches alike with their accomplishments in high school tournaments and grassroots basketball events.

The recruit’s decision to withdraw from their previous commitment to Duke came after a lengthy and thorough process of considering all choices. While they had originally committed to another prominent institution, the temptation of playing for Duke, with its illustrious history and the opportunity to play under one of the top coaching staffs in the country, was too much to pass up.

Coach Jon Scheyer, who took over the team following the retirement of famous coach Mike Krzyzewski, has swiftly established himself in recruiting. This move is viewed as a tribute to his ability to retain Duke’s recruiting strength and continue on the great history that Coach K established over decades. Scheyer’s recruiting pitch stresses the development of both on-court talents and off-court character, making Duke an appealing destination for top players eager to advance their careers.

Duke’s recruitment of this athlete also demonstrates the program’s sustained ability to attract elite talent, particularly in the changing environment of college basketball, where the transfer portal and NIL deals have altered the dynamics of recruitment. Duke has added a key element to an already excellent recruiting class by signing this prospect. The acquisition of this athlete is predicted to have an instant influence on the squad, with many predicting that they will be one of the standouts in their rookie year.

This decision is a setback to the other schools that had been fighting for the recruit’s commitment, but it solidifies Duke’s status as one of college basketball’s most top teams. With a combination of seasoned players and intriguing rookies, Duke is once again poised to compete for the national championship in the next season.

In the end, this reversal demonstrates the strong draw of Duke’s legacy, the program’s continuous success, and the possibility it provides for athletes to go to the next level. Both the recruit and the program have a promising future.

Ex-Duke basketball player screams against Crimson Tide.

Mark Mitchell, a former two-year Duke basketball player, led Missouri to a big home win.

Mark Mitchell, a member of Jon Scheyer’s first recruiting class as Duke basketball coach, scored a career-high 31 points to lead the No. 15-ranked Missouri Tigers (20-6, 9-4 SEC) to a 110-98 home victory against the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (21-5, 10-3 SEC) on Wednesday.

In 32 minutes against the Crimson Tide, the 6-foot-8 junior forward from Kansas went 11-for-15 from the field, 1-for-3 from beyond the arc, and 8-for-12 from the charity stripe. He contributed three rebounds and three assists.

Mitchell’s performance came one week after he scored 25 points in an 82-58 home victory over the Oklahoma Sooners.

Mitchell, a former five-star prep, is averaging 13.6 points in 26 games as a full-time starter in his first year with the Tigers, two points better than his Duke basketball sophomore season last season, along with 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals.

He is one of seven 2023-24 Blue Devils that left Durham last year.

This season’s backcourt for Duke basketball is the one the school has always needed to win a national title.

The Blue Devils’ guard play has been exceptional this season, and it is skilled enough to lead Duke to a national title.

Duke basketball (23-3, 15-1 ACC) is 9-1 in its past 10 games, with the one setback coming at Clemson a few Saturdays ago by a score of 77-71, the Blue Devils’ first road and ACC loss of the season.

Over the last ten games, the Blue Devils have averaged over 82 points per game. This season, the program has also assisted on 59% of their made shots, ranking around the top 40 nationally according to KenPom.

But what’s been propelling the Blue Devils during that run has been great backcourt play, and the guard combo of Tyrese Proctor and Sion James is growing into one of the top backcourts in the country, with the makings of a national championship-caliber guard duo.

After a huge collapse in late January, when Proctor averaged only 6.6 points per game on 27.5% shooting from the field in Duke’s final five games of the month, he’s been mentioned as the top guard in the country throughout February.

In Duke’s six February games, Proctor is averaging 17.3 points per game on 52.7% shooting from the field and 47.5% from three. He has scored 20 or more points in two of those games.

His confidence has skyrocketed, and he’s taking advantage of every opportunity the defense provides.

James doesn’t look for his own scoring until it’s there, but his ability to drive to the basket at six-foot-six and 220 pounds makes him an outstanding drive-and-kick passer, and he’s also dominating in the pick-and-roll game.

Over Duke’s previous 10 games, the Tulane transfer guard has 40 assists and only seven turnovers, for a stunning assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.7 to one.

James and Proctor have worked really well together, and since James was introduced into the starting lineup earlier this season, the two have formed one of the most seasoned and intelligent backcourts in the country.

“You talk about the ‘dog mentality’, I think those guys (Proctor and James) have just been competitive and tough, and the rest comes from there,” Duke head coach Jon Scheyer said following Duke’s 106-70 home victory against Stanford last week. “They’ve been really selfless, but they choose their times to be aggressive. I believe we are establishing continuity as our players learn how to play with one another.

Duke’s guard play has been among the best in the country this season, and James and Proctor’s combination of talent, intelligence, and experience oozes the makings of a backcourt capable of leading a young team like this year’s Blue Devils to a national championship in early April.

 

Duke receives important news soon following Florida.-The Houston National Championship

The 2025 NCAA men’s basketball championship came down to the wire in San Antonio, with top-seeded Florida narrowly defeating No. 1 Houston, 65–63, in a dramatic finish at the Alamodome on Monday night

Florida clinched its third national title thanks to a costly blunder by Houston in the closing seconds. With under 10 seconds left, Cougars forward Emanuel Sharp had a clean look at a potential game-winning three-pointer. But he hesitated, lost control of the ball, and time expired — handing the Gators the win.

Houston’s late-game breakdown mirrored the collapse it forced on Duke and star freshman Cooper Flagg in their Final Four clash just days earlier.

After fans recovered from the stunning conclusion, Duke received promising news for next season. FanDuel Sportsbook has listed the Blue Devils as early favorites (+1000) to win the 2026 national title, with the Final Four set to be played in Indianapolis.

Houston follows closely behind at +1200, while Florida sits further back at +2500, despite winning this year’s title.

It’s uncertain whether these odds account for NBA Draft declarations. Flagg is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, and Duke head coach Jon Scheyer could also lose fellow freshmen Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach — both lottery prospects.

Still, the Blue Devils are set to reload with a strong incoming class, featuring four top-25 recruits, including Cameron and Cayden Boozer, the twin sons of former Duke standout Carlos Boozer.

While Scheyer would no doubt trade places with Florida’s Todd Golden to have lifted the trophy this season, Duke fans can at least take solace in Houston’s heartbreak and the bright potential of what’s ahead for 2025–2026.

Jon Scheyer Sweeps Coaching Awards in Historic Milestone Season

Breaking: Duke’s Cooper Flagg Makes History as ACC Rookie and Player of the Year

DURHAM, N.C. — In a remarkable feat, Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg has been named both the ACC Rookie of the Year and the ACC Player of the Year—an extraordinary double honor that places him in elite company.

The 6-foot-9 forward from Maine has dazzled college basketball fans all season with his elite skillset, athleticism, and high basketball IQ, becoming a driving force behind Duke’s success under head coach Jon Scheyer. A projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg’s dominance in the ACC has been unmatched.

Flagg averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game while showcasing two-way excellence. Offensively, he proved to be a versatile scorer and unselfish playmaker. Defensively, he anchored Duke with his shot-blocking and ability to guard across positions.

More than just numbers, Flagg’s poise and leadership in high-pressure moments helped Duke secure a top seed for the NCAA Tournament. His maturity and relentless work ethic earned praise from coaches and media alike, with Coach Scheyer calling him “a leader and a transformational player.”

Flagg becomes the first freshman in ACC history to claim both major individual honors in the same season, setting a new precedent for excellence. As Duke enters March Madness, all eyes remain on the freshman star whose impact continues to grow.

Duke is the early favorite to win the 2026 NCAA title.

Despite Flagg’s Expected Departure, Duke Opens as 2026 Title Favorite

Even with superstar freshman and national player of the year Cooper Flagg likely headed to the NBA, sportsbooks still consider Duke the frontrunner to win the 2026 NCAA championship.

The Blue Devils finished the 2024–25 season with an impressive 35–4 record, falling just short of the title game after a heartbreaking 70–67 loss to Houston in the Final Four. Still, betting markets remain bullish on Duke’s future.

As of Monday, BetRivers, FanDuel, and DraftKings all listed Duke as the early favorite to win next year’s championship at +1000 odds.

Houston and Florida Among Top Contenders

Houston, which fell to Florida 65–63 in the national championship game, sits just behind Duke in the odds. The Cougars were posted at +1200 by DraftKings and FanDuel, and +1300 by BetRivers. Meanwhile, national champion Florida came in at +2500 across all three platforms, likely due to the departure of All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr., who is entering the NBA Draft.

Several other programs are expected to contend for the 2026 crown. DraftKings lists UConn at +1400, BYU at +1600, St. John’s and Purdue at +1800, and Kansas, Arkansas, and Kentucky at +2000.

FanDuel shows Louisville and Purdue at +1400, Kansas and BYU at +1600, with UConn, Alabama, Arkansas, and Auburn each at +1800.

At BetRivers, Arkansas, Louisville, Purdue, and BYU are tied at +1400, followed by UConn (+1700), and Alabama, Kentucky, and Auburn all at +1800.

BYU’s Rising Stock

BYU’s strong odds are fueled by their blockbuster signing of AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class. The 6-foot-9 phenom chose the Cougars over blue bloods like Kansas, North Carolina, and Alabama back in December.

As offseason movement begins and rosters take shape, expect these odds to continue evolving—but for now, Duke remains the team to beat, even without Flagg.

“Teen Spirit, Grown Game: Cooper Flagg Named AP Player of the Year After Historic Freshman Season”

“I’m definitely getting one too,” Flagg said with a smile, showing that despite everything, he’s still very much a teenager at heart.

But while he may still be a kid off the court, his play has been anything but youthful. From the moment of his college debut, the 18-year-old has played with a maturity far beyond his years—scoring, rebounding, facilitating, and defending at an elite level. He embraced the enormous expectations that came with being the likely No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and quickly became the engine behind Duke’s title push, leading with intensity and poise.

That dominance is why Flagg was named the Associated Press Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year on Friday—just the fourth freshman to ever receive the honor in its 64-year history.

The 6-foot-9 forward from Newport, Maine, edged out Auburn standout Johni Broome in what was essentially a two-man race. Both were unanimous first-team AP All-Americans and the only players to receive votes for the award, but Flagg earned a commanding 41 of 61 votes from AP Top 25 media panel members.

He joins an elite group of freshman winners: Duke’s Zion Williamson (2019), Kentucky’s Anthony Davis (2012), and Texas’ Kevin Durant (2007)—all of whom went on to be top-two picks in the NBA Draft. Flagg also becomes the eighth Duke player to win the award, the most of any program.

Around 15 friends and family traveled to San Antonio to support Flagg during his press conference. His Duke teammates and coaches were there too, with head coach Jon Scheyer beaming proudly and teammates cheering from the back row.

“He plays with incredible intensity, he’s selfless, and he’s clearly gifted,” Scheyer said after Duke’s final home game. “He’s a special player, and an even better teammate.”

Following what is probably the last game with Duke, Jon Scheyer gives Cooper Flagg a clear message.

The Duke Blue Devils capped off a strong season with a Final Four appearance, but it ended in heartbreak Saturday night as they surrendered a 14-point second-half lead to the Houston Cougars, losing 70-67 despite controlling much of the game.

The loss likely signals the end of Cooper Flagg’s college career following a standout freshman season. The projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, Flagg said Friday that being selected by any NBA team would be a dream come true. “It would be a blessing for me to get drafted by any team in the NBA,” Flagg said. “That’s been a dream of mine for a long time.”

Though he hasn’t made an official announcement, Flagg’s departure seems imminent, especially with Duke’s season ending just hours before. On Sunday morning, he received the prestigious Naismith Trophy for National Player of the Year — further cementing his legacy.

At the ceremony, head coach Jon Scheyer praised Flagg’s incredible freshman year and the impact he’s had on the program. “We didn’t get much sleep last night, but I don’t want that to take away from what Cooper accomplished this season,” Scheyer said. “He’s been a joy to coach — historic on the court and a phenomenal teammate. Last night, he put us on his back with 27 points. We came up just short, but I couldn’t be prouder.”

Flagg led Duke across the board this season — topping the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and minutes. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field, 38.5% from three, and 84% from the free-throw line.

Though Flagg once hinted he might return for another year, that now appears unlikely. Scheyer reinforced that belief on March 31 during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, saying, “I think it’s time for him to chase the next dream — being the No. 1 pick and beginning his NBA career.”

BLAME GAME: Is Cooper Flagg Unjustly Held Responsible for Duke’s Difficult Loss?

Is Cooper Flagg Being Unfairly Blamed for Duke’s Final Four Loss?

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Following Duke’s heartbreaking 76-70 loss to Houston in the Final Four, questions are swirling about what went wrong — and many of them are aimed squarely at Cooper Flagg. The freshman phenom, once touted as the driving force behind Duke’s championship hopes, is now under intense scrutiny after a late-game performance that didn’t live up to expectations.

A Disappointing Finish for Flagg

Flagg, who has been central to Duke’s offense throughout the tournament, finished the game with 12 points. However, his struggles in the final minutes — including missed shots and turnovers — have led to criticism from fans and media alike. As the face of the program and a projected NBA lottery pick, Flagg was expected to deliver in crunch time, and when he didn’t, some began to pin the loss on him.

One fan vented on social media, “Flagg didn’t play like the superstar we were promised. He disappeared when it mattered most.”

But It Wasn’t Just Flagg

Despite the criticism, Duke’s defeat wasn’t solely on Flagg. The Blue Devils as a whole faltered down the stretch. Their offense stalled, the defense couldn’t stop Houston’s momentum, and key players like fellow freshman Jayson Adams also struggled to produce. The loss was the result of a total team breakdown, not one player’s performance.

Head coach Jon Scheyer emphasized that after the game: “This wasn’t just on Cooper. We all failed to execute. It’s a tough one, but we’ll grow from it.”

Mounting Pressure on a Young Star

Flagg entered college basketball under a massive spotlight, with comparisons to past Duke greats and NBA legends. At just 18, he was expected to carry a storied program on his back. That pressure was bound to weigh heavily, especially in high-stakes moments like the Final Four.

Some, like former Blue Devil and NBA analyst Grant Hill, believe the criticism is unfair. “He’s still a freshman,” Hill said. “It’s not right to place the blame entirely on him. The whole team struggled.”

Looking Ahead

While the loss was undoubtedly painful, it’s far from the end of the road for Flagg. He remains one of the top talents in college basketball and is still projected to be a high pick in the NBA Draft. Teammates like Tyrese Proctor have voiced their support, insisting that Flagg is still their leader.

“We’re behind Cooper 100 percent,” Proctor said. “This one game doesn’t define what he’s done this season.”

As the dust settles and Duke begins to regroup, one thing is clear: Cooper Flagg’s story is just beginning. His response to adversity will shape not only the remainder of his college career but also how he’s remembered long term — not a single tough night in March.