Duke opens the college basketball season with the kind of expectation most programs can only dream about: the Blue Devils are being talked about as the clear favorite in the ACC.
That’s not to say the road will be easy. Louisville, Miami and Virginia all show up as ranked teams, and the league is still the sort of place that can make life messy from top to bottom.
Louisville is No. 11 in the AP poll, Miami is No. 14 and Virginia sits at No. 9.
Duke still looks like the team with the best chance to control the conference if it handles its business on both ends of the floor, but the Blue Devils will have to earn it.
The Miami angle is where the conversation gets more interesting. Jai Lucas spent time on Duke’s staff before landing the head coaching job at Miami, and he has already shown he can recruit at a high level. He brought in a major class and has Miami positioned for a big year.
That’s why an ESPN insider’s recent note about Lucas caught attention. Myron Medcalf floated the idea that Lucas could eventually wind up as Duke’s head coach, while also suggesting Jon Scheyer might not be there forever.
“Medcalf: Miami fans don't want to hear me say Jai Lucas' name in this spot, and I understand why. He just signed a five-year contract extension with the program after orchestrating the greatest year-to-year turnaround in college basketball history.
That deal suggests that both sides want Miami to become a consistent powerhouse. Lucas has proved he can lure top talent, but he's also a former assistant at Texas, Kentucky and Duke.
“Both Duke and Kentucky could have openings a year from now. Kansas, too.
The NBA could also have interest in the 37-year-old head coach. With another elite season from Lucas, Miami might have to fight again to keep him in town.
An extension gives the Hurricanes security but only for now,” Myron Medcalf wrote.
If Scheyer does leave, the most likely path would be to the NBA. He already turned down interest from the Dallas Mavericks this past offseason, and he has been mentioned in connection with pro jobs before.
That possibility is what makes Lucas such a logical name to watch if Duke ever needs a new leader. He knows the program, he understands the brand and he would fit what the Blue Devils are trying to build.
In Other News...
Asa Montgomery Commitment Creates A New Duke Roster Debate
Dukes 2027 recruiting picture changed quickly when Asa Montgomery, a 5-star forward ranked No. 8 overall in the class, announced for the Blue Devils. The commitment immediately pushed Dukes class from No. 39 to No. 9 in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, a jump that reflects both Montgomerys national profile and the kind of momentum a program can build when it lands an elite piece early.
What makes the addition especially intriguing is the fit. Montgomery brings versatility and defensive ability, traits Duke has long valued in high-end forwards, and he had taken official visits to several other schools before settling on Durham. His pledge gives the Blue Devils a major foundation in 2027, but it also leaves the next roster debate hanging in the air as Duke continues shaping how this class will come together. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Carries Momentum Into A Notre Dame Test With Bigger Stakes
Duke heads into its regular-season finale at Notre Dame with a little more spring in its step after a strong recent stretch. A win over Virginia and a draw against North Carolina have helped steady the Blue Devils at the right time, and now they get one last tuneup at Alumni Stadium before the postseason picture comes into focus.
Ethan Congleton and Jack Ottley have been the driving forces on the stat sheet, giving Duke the kind of production it needs in a matchup with bigger stakes than a typical November game. The challenge is clear enough already, but the Blue Devils are also managing several injuries, which adds another layer to a night that could shape how they enter the playoffs. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Commitment Has Fans Wondering About Jon Scheyers Next Big Prize
Duke kept its recruiting momentum rolling with another major addition in the 2027 class, landing Asa Montgomery, a five-star small forward and a top 10 prospect in the cycle. The commitment gives Jon Scheyer and his staff their third pledge for 2027 and only adds to the sense that the Blue Devils are building another elite group well before those players ever set foot on campus.
Now the attention is shifting to what comes next, and Scheyer appears to already have his eyes on two of the biggest names in the 2028 class. Colton Hiller is on Dukes board with the possibility of reclassifying to 2027, while Yann Kamagate, a highly ranked 7-foot center, already has a Duke offer and plenty of other major programs in the chase, setting up another high-stakes recruitment to watch. [Read more 🡒]