2024-2025 Duke Blue Devils

[bullcity gamer]

Great Season Duke 😈!
35-4
Undefeated Season at Home
ACC Regular Season Champions
ACC Tournament Champions
Final 4

Extremely Proud of These Connected Blue Devils. They were very unselfish and were A Team. Efficiency Wise, one of Duke’s Best Teams on both the Defensive and Offensive Ends of the Court Historically. Really Enjoyed watching this group Evolve throughout the 2024-2025 Season.

Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach were all as good as Advertised. Looking forward to watching them have Successful Careers in the NBA. Flagg is Duke’s Best Freshman to ever lace them up for The Blue Devils. He is going to be a Great Pro.

Men’s College Basketball plays a big role in my family’s life. It’s one of the ways we Bond. Last night a couple cousins, an aunt and uncle, my parents, and I watched the Duke vs Houston game together. I am very Grateful to Experience these moments with my family.

Keep your heads up everyone. We woke up today.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Great post. But what an awful way to lose. It's one of the top five worst losses in Duke basketball history. I slept an hour, tops. I doubt I can sleep at all for a long while. I needed a couple more wins for the positive distraction. Nothing can be done about it. Jon will learn and be even better next year. Unfortunately, this team will look nothing like it did this year.

 

[bullcity gamer]

Duke Played Well the first 33 minutes, the flagrant on Gillis gave Houston the momentum, because that was a 6 point scoring possession for Houston and Duke went from being up 14 points to only being up 8 points with 7 minutes left in the game.

Terrible execution on Duke’s part the last 7 minutes of the game, imo Maluach, Proctor, and Gillis should have been sitting on the bench more in the 2nd half.

Flagg
Knueppel
James
Foster
Brown
Ngongba

^ these guys should have closed out the game for Duke

Live and Learn

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Duke Played Well the first 33 minutes, the flagrant on Gillis gave Houston the momentum, because that was a 6 point scoring possession for Houston and Duke went from being up 14 points to only being up 8 points with 7 minutes left in the game.

Terrible execution on Duke’s part the last 7 minutes of the game, imo Maluach, Proctor, and Gillis should have been sitting on the bench more in the 2nd half.

Flagg
Knueppel
James
Foster
Brown
Ngongba

^ these guys should have closed out the game for Duke

Live and Learn

Jon will use this but almost none of these guys will be here next season.

 

[youngman42]

In this day and age, chances like this won’t come along very often. You just aren’t going to assemble a team like that, that played together so well. It really came down to 2 1/2 minutes of not getting it done.

I loved this team. But this year will forever leave an agonizing pit in my stomach and bitter taste in my mouth. I think maybe even worse than ‘99. Because we were clearly the better team on the court until the last 2 minutes.

Oh the humanity. Lol.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

In this day and age, chances like this won’t come along very often. You just aren’t going to assemble a team like that, that played together so well. It really came down to 2 1/2 minutes of not getting it done.

I loved this team. But this year will forever leave an agonizing pit in my stomach and bitter taste in my mouth. I think maybe even worse than ‘99. Because we were clearly the better team on the court until the last 2 minutes.

Oh the humanity. Lol.

'99 doesn't hurt me like most because we won in '01 and exercised those demons. '22, '04, '02, '94, and '06 were the most painful for me. This one has jumped to the third most painful. '18 and '19 killed me, but I don't think about those like those others, and this one will stick with me forever. I put too much into sports. And when shit like this happens, it guts me. But a team like this one not winning will hurt more than '99 because at least some of those guys got rings. Battier and James got their one shining moment. Flagg, Kon, Mal, Proctor, James, and Gillis won't. And sadly, I already see the narratives around Jon and these kids, which worsens things.

 

[GillJET]

Always so classy Bullcity…awesome post.

 

[hart2chesson]

Great Season Duke 😈!
35-4
ACC Regular Season Champions
ACC Tournament Champions
Final 4

Extremely Proud of These Connected Blue Devils. They were very unselfish and were A Team. Efficiency Wise, one of Duke’s Best Teams on both the Defensive and Offensive Ends of the Court Historically. Really Enjoyed watching this group Evolve throughout the 2024-2025 Season.

Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach were all as good as Advertised. Looking forward to watching them have Successful Careers in the NBA. Flagg is Duke’s Best Freshman to ever lace them up for The Blue Devils. He is going to be a Great Pro.

Men’s College Basketball plays a big role in my family’s life. It’s one of the ways we Bond. Last night a couple cousins, an aunt and uncle, my parents, and I watched the Duke vs Houston game together. I am very Grateful to Experience these moments with my family.

Keep your heads up everyone. We woke up today.

Good perspective Bull. I am sure your post helps a number of us today. I want to thank our coaches and players for an incredible
season. It will take a long time to get over this one, because these guys spoiled us. Congrats to Houston. OFC

 

[denverexpat]

Nearly....this is the best I think we can get from the recipe of these teams....so close! Its still tough to combine freshman talent with experience into a team capable of winning it all but this was so very close to perfection....great year....a sweep of the Cheats, champions of the ACC and into a Final Four...

 

[dadecodevil]

Great season, but I will struggle with the "what ifs" for quite a while. I haven't felt like this in a while, which may be pathetic considering I don't have much skin in the game other than being a Durhamite who spent his summers working for Duke basketball in the 90's. I am optimistic about of future, including next year. The foundation is strong and I trust Jon, but that didn't help me sleep last night! Next season starts now!

 

[HeelsShmeels]

In this day and age, chances like this won’t come along very often. You just aren’t going to assemble a team like that, that played together so well. It really came down to 2 1/2 minutes of not getting it done.

I loved this team. But this year will forever leave an agonizing pit in my stomach and bitter taste in my mouth. I think maybe even worse than ‘99. Because we were clearly the better team on the court until the last 2 minutes.

Oh the humanity. Lol.

Duke has a great chance to go to Final 4 next year. Every top team is battling over transfer portal guys because they have weak freshman classes coming in and are senior laden this year. Duke already has a good team assembled .

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Duke has a great chance to go to Final 4 next year. Every top team is battling over transfer portal guys because they have weak freshman classes coming in and are senior laden this year. Duke already has a good team assembled .

I hope you're right but I don't see it yet. Still gotta see what pieces we get in the portal.

 

[dukeblue77]

Great post. But what an awful way to lose. It's one of the top five worst losses in Duke basketball history. I slept an hour, tops. I doubt I can sleep at all for a long while. I needed a couple more wins for the positive distraction. Nothing can be done about it. Jon will learn and be even better next year. Unfortunately, this team will look nothing like it did this year.

Not so what’s worse. Losing or they way we lost.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Not so what’s worse. Losing or they way we lost.

Losing the way we lost is worse.

 

[dukeblue77]

Sometimes we all second guess ourselves. I’m a bit surprised Evan’s did not get much. Why not Pat for a few. This hurts.

 

[hart2chesson]

Not so what’s worse. Losing or they way we lost.

Good question blue. For me, it's the WAY we lost. I really felt we would win, even when Houston cut it to three. I have to admit feeling shaky when they sliced it to one. 'Rese didn't have it last nite, and I thought it was 50-50 he would convert the one and one. He missed of course, and I felt we were on cusp of a loss.

Out of bounds plays? I really didn't see us get creative to get the ball in-bounds. Credit Houston's defense of course, but how much did a lack of execution and/or out of bounds sets called by staff contribute when we led 67-64??? We had two chances to get the ball in and up the court. The first time Sion called TO, 2ND time of course we threw it away.

I will leave it to the more basketball knowledgeable to analyze, but I will add this: I honestly felt like we could have put Houston away early in 2nd half if we don't let them back in game final two minutes of 1st half. They began raining threes final few minutes 1st half, and went to locker room only down six rather than double digits. I know we re-established our double figures lead later, but if we could have closed BETTER 1st half, who knows?

OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

Sometimes we all second guess ourselves. I’m a bit surprised Evan’s did not get much. Why not Pat for a few. This hurts.

Good observations blue. I felt like we shortened our bench a bit too much, and our guys were spent in waning minutes.

OFC

 

[The_Only_Blue]

Good question blue. For me, it's the WAY we lost. I really felt we would win, even when Houston cut it to three. I have to admit feeling shaky when they sliced it to one. 'Rese didn't have it last nite, and I thought it was 50-50 he would convert the one and one. He missed of course, and I felt we were on cusp of a loss.

Out of bounds plays? I really didn't see us get creative to get the ball in-bounds. Credit Houston's defense of course, but how much did a lack of execution and/or out of bounds sets called by staff contribute when we led 67-64??? We had two chances to get the ball in and up the court. The first time Sion called TO, 2ND time of course we threw it away.

I will leave it to the more basketball knowledgeable to analyze, but I will add this: I honestly felt like we could have put Houston away early in 2nd half if we don't let them back in game final two minutes of 1st half. They began raining threes final few minutes 1st half, and went to locker room only down six rather than double digits. I know we re-established our double figures lead later, but if we could have closed BETTER 1st half, who knows?

OFC

I think the turning point was when Gillis got the tech. That ended up being a 6 point trip for them which gave them life.

On another note and don't know if this is accurate but I saw on Twitter that Maliq was a +10, Foster+10 and Pat +7 and Mal -20. If true, I just don't get why we went away from them in the second half? At least give our guys a minute before a possible TV timeout for them to catch a break. With it, they probably would get close to 5 minutes rest.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

I think the turning point was when Gillis got the tech. That ended up being a 6 point trip for them which gave them life.

On another note and don't know if this is accurate but I saw on Twitter that Maliq was a +10, Foster+10 and Pat +7 and Mal -20. If true, I just don't get why we went away from them in the second half? At least give our guys a minute before a possible TV timeout for them to catch a break. With it, they probably would get close to 5 minutes rest.

Refs not calling the James foul is where it started. If that's not a flagrant one then the Gillis dead ball technical shouldn't have been called.

 

[pisgah101]

I truly loved this team. It’ll always be one of my favorites along with the 2010 and 2013

 

[youngman42]

'99 doesn't hurt me like most because we won in '01 and exercised those demons. '22, '04, '02, '94, and '06 were the most painful for me. This one has jumped to the third most painful. '18 and '19 killed me, but I don't think about those like those others, and this one will stick with me forever. I put too much into sports. And when shit like this happens, it guts me. But a team like this one not winning will hurt more than '99 because at least some of those guys got rings. Battier and James got their one shining moment. Flagg, Kon, Mal, Proctor, James, and Gillis won't. And sadly, I already see the narratives around Jon and these kids, which worsens things.

Agreed. It’s so bad. And in many ways worse because most of this team will be gone. My comp to 99 was just the pain in the moment given the expectations. Since we didn’t see 2001 coming. This is just unbearable.

Knowing this

 

[Mr.Scary13]

I think the turning point was when Gillis got the tech. That ended up being a 6 point trip for them which gave them life.

On another note and don't know if this is accurate but I saw on Twitter that Maliq was a +10, Foster+10 and Pat +7 and Mal -20. If true, I just don't get why we went away from them in the second half? At least give our guys a minute before a possible TV timeout for them to catch a break. With it, they probably would get close to 5 minutes rest.

Mal and James were both -18 to -20 and to make it worse Proctor was pathetic. It was pointed out last night numerous times how much better we looked with Foster and Brown on the court. How Jon couldn't see it laat night was mind boggling. With all that we still should have won the game.

 

[christophero]

Great post. But what an awful way to lose. It's one of the top five worst losses in Duke basketball history. I slept an hour, tops. I doubt I can sleep at all for a long while. I needed a couple more wins for the positive distraction. Nothing can be done about it. Jon will learn and be even better next year. Unfortunately, this team will look nothing like it did this year.

I saw an interview with Tatum yesterday. He was asked about the South Carolina loss and he said it hurt and he couldn't believe the season was over, but once he talked to his mom after the game he was over it and focused on the draft and taking care of his family. Which is admirable. But my point is he didn't sound like it was something he dwelled on the way the fans did. He is only one example but I did find this interesting.

 

[pisgah101]

I saw an interview with Tatum yesterday. He was asked about the South Carolina loss and he said it hurt and he couldn't believe the season was over, but once he talked to his mom after the game he was over it and focused on the draft and taking care of his family. Which is admirable. But my point is he didn't sound like it was something he dwelled on the way the fans did. He is only one example but I did find this interesting.

And that sums up my feel song on Tatum. Not a fan. Never have been. Feels so disrespectful when people name the greatest Duke players and he’s on the list

 

[bleediteveryday30]

I saw an interview with Tatum yesterday. He was asked about the South Carolina loss and he said it hurt and he couldn't believe the season was over, but once he talked to his mom after the game he was over it and focused on the draft and taking care of his family. Which is admirable. But my point is he didn't sound like it was something he dwelled on the way the fans did. He is only one example but I did find this interesting.

But then you have Zion who, by all accounts, cried and wanted to stay. And those kids looked devastated last night. Man was sobbing coming off the floor. Cooper could barely contain himself at the presser. I think certain one and dones do care more than others.

 

[dadecodevil]

And that sums up my feel song on Tatum. Not a fan. Never have been. Feels so disrespectful when people name the greatest Duke players and he’s on the list

Tatum is a Duke lifer however. He has a presence in Durham in the off season, he gifted the women's hoops team shoes this March. He even was behind the scenes recruiting Coop, and during the season telling him to treasure these moments. I think for the one and dones he's been great. That being said, if we didn't need one and dones and had a roster full of 2-3 year players, I would be ecstatic. Florida nor Houston will be playing any prized frosh tomorrow.

 

[bullcity gamer]

I think the turning point was when Gillis got the tech. That ended up being a 6 point trip for them which gave them life.

On another note and don't know if this is accurate but I saw on Twitter that Maliq was a +10, Foster+10 and Pat +7 and Mal -20. If true, I just don't get why we went away from them in the second half? At least give our guys a minute before a possible TV timeout for them to catch a break. With it, they probably would get close to 5 minutes rest.

Blue and Hart,

Solid points the two of you bring up and I wholeheartedly agree with them. Duke’s bread and butter all season and what we praised Coach Scheyer for this season was the construction and distribution of minutes. Coach Scheyer had 10 capable players and in the 1st half last night he used them. For some reason he went away from that in the 2nd half playing only 7 players and thus the starters were exhausted in crunch time. Maluach, Proctor, and Gillis didn’t have it last night, I wish Scheyer would have used the depth he had on the bench like he had been all season prior to last night.

The defensive rebounding and 3 point defense was poor on Duke’s part, credit to Houston for taking advantage of Duke’s lack of attention to detail. Hart is spot on, if Duke doesn’t allow Houston to make 3 straight 3 pointers to close the 1st half then Duke has a 15 point lead at halftime.

 

[bullcity gamer]

Always so classy Bullcity…awesome post.

Appreciate You GillJET for your kind words. Love talking Duke Hoops with all of you on this board

 

[t-towndomer]

and Mal -20.

Not sure what is more shocking, Mal being -20 in his 21 minutes of burn or the fact that he hauled in zero rebounds. Doesn't even seem possible.

 

[hart2chesson]

Blue and Hart,

Solid points the two of you bring up and I wholeheartedly agree with them. Duke’s bread and butter all season and what we praised Coach Scheyer for this season was the construction and distribution of minutes. Coach Scheyer had 10 capable players and in the 1st half last night he used them. For some reason he went away from that in the 2nd half playing only 7 players and thus the starters were exhausted in crunch time. Maluach, Proctor, and Gillis didn’t have it last night, I wish Scheyer would have used the depth he had on the bench like he had been all season prior to last night.

The defensive rebounding and 3 point defense was poor on Duke’s part, credit to Houston for taking advantage of Duke’s lack of attention to detail. Hart is spot on, if Duke doesn’t allow Houston to make 3 straight 3 pointers to close the 1st half then Duke has a 15 point lead at halftime.

Bull I appreciate the shout. You're truly a class act.

OFC

 

[youngman42]

Duke has a great chance to go to Final 4 next year. Every top team is battling over transfer portal guys because they have weak freshman classes coming in and are senior laden this year. Duke already has a good team assembled .

We have the Boozers. But I don’t think any other freshmen are guaranteed to be really good. And this year we had truly one of the greatest all around players this century. But no more. I also don’t think we realize how much talent we had beyond Flagg. Kon. Maluach. Those guys were really amazing. Ngongba probably should have got minutes in the second half and he’s going to be a good one in the NBA.

I hope we get Malik back. He’s a major piece. But beyond that I don’t think we know or can predict who we will lose or get in the portal.

This team was, imo, the most talented and “team” oriented team since 2001. Those Don’t come around every year maybe ever 20 years you get a mix like this.

 

[DBM0828]

Different times. The NBA & money have ruined the game for up and coming athletes... Let's run to the money. Elton Brand, JJ Redick, Jason Williams, Grant Hill, Gerald Henderson just a few names right there all MULTIPLE YEAR STUDS/Who in todays game would have never come back to college... CRAZY to think of what college basketball has become... The multiple year player/same team player will be highly unheard of... Round of applause for Luke Kennard/Grayson Allen/Kyle Filipowski because they will go down as the last Duke players to stay multiple years who would have been drafted based on freshman seasons.

 

[bullcity gamer]

Bull I appreciate the shout. You're truly a class act.

OFC

Right back at you Hart

 

[hart2chesson]

Thought I would just leave this speculation here from "Duke Wire:" yesterday:


OFC

 

[dukecorey]

No Brown on Duke Wire Projection? I hope that’s not the case.

 

[hart2chesson]

No Brown on Duke Wire Projection? I hope that’s not the case.

Good observation Corey, and I should have noted it. I have heard two three pretty reliable insiders project Maliq to return. We certainly could use him!!

 

[pisgah101]

Solid projection for the starters and prob accurate which would feature 2 sophomores and a senior and 2 fresh.

 

[mo.st.dukie]

If that's our starting lineup we'll have a very good chance of getting back to the Final Four. I'm kind of operating under an assumption that Proctor and Evans are going to enter the draft but so hoping they come back. If Henderson is ready that would be fantastic considering he has great size and is a good rebounder. I think our problems with defensive rebounding would be solved. And while I love Maluach and see tremendous potential, I think Ngongba next year can be better than Maluach this year. I also wouldn't mind seeing us add a fourth big, unless Kamenia is further ahead than I realize. Given Ngongba and Brown's injury history and propensity for foul trouble, having another big would be nice instead of moving Cam to the 5.

 

[dukecorey]

I know Duke will lose the 3 lottery freshman and all the players without eligibility left. I really hope they are able to bring back everyone else (Brown, Proctor, Foster, Big Pat, Evans and Harris). Add the 4 in coming Freshman that would be a very good/great 10 players. That would leave maybe 1 or 2 transfers of need (depth big and guard). That would be perfect case scenario.

 

[christophero]

To my eye next year's team would more resemble the teams of Jon's first two years than this years, but it is too early to tell. We could still get a portal guy or two. I really like Brown but given his multiple injuries we might need some frontcourt insurance.