After a stretch of uneven play, Duke’s West Coast swing came at just the right time. Two games, two convincing wins, and more importantly, a team that looked like it was starting to find its rhythm again. For head coach Jon Scheyer, this wasn’t just about padding the win column-it was about getting his group back to the kind of basketball that powered their 11-0 start before the winter break.
Let’s start with the results. Duke took care of business against Cal, 71-56, on Jan. 14, then followed that up with a dominant 80-50 performance at Stanford on Jan.
- That second game will grab the headlines-and rightfully so, given how thoroughly the Blue Devils shut things down defensively-but the real story is in the consistency across both outings.
What we saw was a team recalibrating, sharpening its identity on both ends of the floor.
Defense Sets the Tone
Against Stanford, Duke held the Cardinal to just 19 first-half points. That’s not a typo.
It was a defensive clinic-rotations were crisp, ball pressure was relentless, and the Blue Devils controlled the glass. But that wasn’t a one-off.
The groundwork for that effort was laid a few days earlier in Berkeley, where Duke limited Cal to just 56 points and never let the game get away from their control.
This wasn’t just about effort-it was about execution. Duke’s perimeter defenders stayed connected, fought through screens, and forced tough shots.
In the paint, the help defense was timely, and the rim protection was active. It looked like a group that had recommitted to the fundamentals, and the results showed.
Offensive Flow Returns
On the offensive end, there was a noticeable uptick in ball movement and shot quality. The Stanford game, in particular, showcased a more fluid, confident attack.
Players were cutting with purpose, spacing was improved, and the ball didn’t stick. It wasn’t just one guy trying to do it all-this was a collective effort, with multiple players getting involved and making plays.
The improved offensive rhythm also helped Duke control tempo. They weren’t rushing possessions, but they also didn’t let the offense stagnate. That balance-playing with pace without being reckless-was missing during the recent rough patch, but it was back on display in California.
Reconnecting with Identity
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this trip? Duke looked like Duke again.
The defensive intensity, the unselfishness on offense, the energy from the bench-it all felt familiar. This wasn’t just two wins on the road; it was a reminder of what this team can be when it’s locked in.
There’s still a long season ahead, and tougher challenges await. But for now, this Bay Area swing gave the Blue Devils more than just a pair of wins-it gave them a reset. And if they can build on the form they showed out west, they’ll be right back in the thick of things come March.