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Off-season thoughts

Duke is constructing quite the non conference schedule for the 2025-2026 season

11/4 - Texas (Charlotte, North Carolina)
11/18 - Kansas (New York City, New York)
11/27 - Arkansas (Chicago, Illinois)
12/2 or 12/3 - @ SEC Opponent (SEC vs ACC Challenge)
12/? - @ Michigan State
2/?/26 - Michigan (Washington D.C.)

Season Opener in Charlotte, Sounds Good to me!
 
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If Coward is borderline 1st round he could vault a lot further up in round 1 next year with a really good year at Duke. And he could probably make as much this year at Duke if not more than as a late first round pick. No idea what Duke’s offer was to him.
 
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Duke is constructing quite the non conference schedule for the 2025-2026 season

11/4 - Texas (Charlotte, North Carolina)
11/18 - Kansas (New York City, New York)
12/2 or 12/3 - @ SEC Opponent (SEC vs ACC Challenge)
12/? - @ Michigan State
2/?/26 - Michigan (Washington D.C.)

Season Opener in Charlotte, Sounds Good to me!
I don’t like to wish time away but if 6 months go by fast I won’t complain
 
Idk if it’s accurate but I saw that we may be kicking the tires on AJ Smith from Charleston.

He’s native to North Carolina but I’m not sure this will go anywhere even if it is accurate.
 
Two things.

1. Our non conference is setting up to be absolutely brutal. I respect Jon for doing it and the committee clearly values that, but let’s get at least 3 or 4 cupcakes!
2 Sounds like Duke is very much so the front runner for Wilkins and he will reclass. In that 25-30 range so could be good, or not quite ready to be a big contributor. Would still love to get him as he’s another big body at 6’8 205.
 
I saw a SI article that said our chances may be fading with Coward. It's really up to him. I heard late first round picks can make over 3 million per year. Can we match that? He still could be second round unless he gets a guarantee. But even if things are equal, it seems guys clearly prefer playing in the NBA to playing at Duke, or anywhere in college, with very few exceptions. You might stay another year to improve your stock and lessen the risk. We are Duke fans so we see it differently.
 
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I’ve seen Coward on one draft board at 29. That was on the NBA mock draft . That’s too close to the second round in my opinion so it could be he’s hearing late round but at that late teams could grab him in the second and he would loose money while the teams save . Think it all comes down to what he does at the NBA combine if he can move up to middle first round .
 
I know Proctor wants to go pro but what if he has a bad combine and slips to the mid/late second round? He has good length so I imagine he will test well.
 
I’ve seen Coward on one draft board at 29. That was on the NBA mock draft . That’s too close to the second round in my opinion so it could be he’s hearing late round but at that late teams could grab him in the second and he would loose money while the teams save . Think it all comes down to what he does at the NBA combine if he can move up to middle first round .
what is the deadline for withdrawing from the draft?
 
I’ve seen Coward on one draft board at 29. That was on the NBA mock draft . That’s too close to the second round in my opinion so it could be he’s hearing late round but at that late teams could grab him in the second and he would loose money while the teams save . Think it all comes down to what he does at the NBA combine if he can move up to middle first round .
Is Coward healthy enough to actually participate in most of the stuff?
 
Sounds like Duke has reached out to USC guard Desmond Claude. Duke reached out to him over the weekend per source. He is also testing the NBA draft. Not sure if that means a backup if one of Evans or Coward stays in the draft.
 
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Claude is a 6-6 junior who averaged 16 points per game for USC. Definitely sounds like Coward insurance as the NBA chatter has heated up. Claude averaged 16ppg for Xavier the year before. Made honorable mention all Big 10. Was a 4 star in high school ranked 89th by Rivals. Would be a nice plan B, and an argument could be made he is as good as Coward on the college level. Coward is likely better. Kentucky, Gonzaga, Virginia and Ole Miss are in the mix. Scored 31 points against Illinois and 30 against Rutgers. Does seem to take a lot of shots. Solidly built. NBA scouting suggests he needs to improve his shooting to play at the next level. Doesn't sound as athletic as Coward.
 
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Claude was 31% from 3 which is not ideal. Coward is the better option. Still, Coward has been non commital so you need a plan B.
 
Coward getting early second/late first round buzz isn’t a bad thing. You figure he will certainly make more at Duke next year or exactly the same as that first year, will get maximum exposure, and could work his was into first half of the draft.

I just think Jon is so strategic in what he does, he wouldn’t put as much effort into him as he did thinking he was leaning towards staying in the draft.

Someone mentioned the USC guard, but he’s listed as a PG- Coward is a SG/Wing which are very different. We will enjoy his one lone year in Durham next year.
 
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