Duke’s preseason trip to Kansas already has a little extra edge to it, and Tyran Stokes made sure of that.
After Kansas announced the Oct. 25 exhibition matchup, the 5-star freshman jumped into the comment section with a simple “Bet.” For a game that won’t count in the standings, it was still a clear sign that Stokes is already looking forward to his first big stage as a college player.
The Blue Devils’ preseason slate, released Wednesday, includes a scrimmage against Belmont on Oct. 8, a home exhibition against Tennessee on Oct. 20 and the road trip to Kansas five days later. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff will also get a look at former Duke assistant Evan Bradds, who is now the head coach at Belmont, his alma mater, after one season on Duke’s staff.
Kansas, meanwhile, is bringing real firepower into that matchup. The Jayhawks’ headliner is Stokes, the 6'7", 230-pound forward who was rated the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 high school class by the 247Sports 2026 Composite Rankings. He arrives as the next major freshman centerpiece for Bill Self after Darryn Peterson, and he is expected to be in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
The 2026 recruiting class has been viewed as one built more around long-term development than instant stardom, but Stokes stands out as the possible exception.
Kansas also added 5-star point guard Taylen Kinney, the No. 3 point guard in the class per the 247Sports Composite, giving the Jayhawks another high-end freshman to build around. Still, the roster looks very different from last season. Bill Self lost Peterson, who went No. 2 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Utah Jazz, along with big man Flory Bidunga, who transferred to Louisville.
In all, Kansas is down seven of its top eight scorers from last season, with rising sophomore Kohl Rosario the only returner from that group. Melvin Council Jr. is reportedly seeking an additional year of eligibility, but as it stands, he is out.
That leaves the Jayhawks with plenty to sort out before the season begins, and an exhibition against Duke should give both teams a useful early look at lineups and styles. The game doesn’t count, but it does offer a real measuring stick - and Stokes clearly isn’t treating it like a throwaway.
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Why Duke Staff Reportedly See UNCs New Coach As A Threat
Michael Malones arrival at North Carolina has already changed the tenor of the rivalry for some people in Durham. College basketball insider Jeff Goodman reported that a few Duke staff members are taking a much different view of the Tar Heels new coach than they did of Hubert Davis, seeing Malone as the kind of proven, hard-driving presence who can raise the bar quickly.
The concern is less about a splashy first impression than what Malone brings with him from the NBA. His championship background and reputation for relentless work have prompted Duke to treat this hire as more than just another coaching change in Chapel Hill, and that alone says plenty about how seriously the Blue Devils expect the rivalry to be tested in the years ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Jared Richardson Is Suddenly Central To Dukes Biggest Offensive Debate
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That is why Jared Richardson has become such an important name in the conversation. The Penn transfer arrives with a proven track record after leading the Ivy League in receptions and touchdowns in 2025, and Duke appears to be leaning on him to become the new top target almost immediately. If he settles in quickly, it could ease one of the biggest transition points on the offense. If he does not, the Blue Devils may spend a lot of time searching for answers on the outside. [Read more 🡒]
Jon Scheyer Is Back In The NBA Coaching Conversation Again
Jon Scheyers name keeps surfacing in NBA conversations, and not just as a former player who already knows the league. The Duke coach is now being viewed as one of the college voices NBA decision-makers continue to respect, with his work in Durham keeping him on the radar as teams look ahead to future coaching openings.
There was already at least one notable flirtation in the past, with the Mavericks showing interest before going in another direction. Even so, the broader point remains the same for Duke fans: Scheyers profile is only growing, and if the NBA starts shopping for another young coach with credibility on both levels, his phone figure to ring again. [Read more 🡒]