Duke may still be expected to sit near the top of college basketball next season, but there’s at least one new development in Chapel Hill that has caught the attention of people around the Blue Devils program.
According to college basketball insider Jeff Goodman, some Duke staff members are uneasy about Michael Malone now being at North Carolina. Goodman said that feeling was not there with former UNC coach Hubert Davis.
"When you talk to the Duke staff, they were not scared of the previous head coach at North Carolina, Hubert Davis," Goodman said on The Field of 68 After Dark, H/T FanSided. "They are scared to whatever degree.
Maybe not terrified, but they are worried about Michael Malone at Carolina. They've seen the work ethic, and they've also seen, obviously, he can sell something that even Duke and Scheyer cannot, which is, hey, see this ring; this ring was from the NBA, I won a title.
So you know there are a few factors here that again instill that fear factor into Scheyer and Duke."
That’s a notable shift, especially for a Duke program that continues to operate at a level few schools can match. The Blue Devils are still viewed as one of the top two teams in America heading into next season, and the program’s financial commitment to basketball only reinforces that expectation.
Even with other programs making smart moves, the source of concern in Durham appears to be Malone’s arrival and what he brings with him. Goodman pointed to both Malone’s work ethic and the credibility that comes with being able to point to an NBA championship ring - something he believes gives him a selling point that even Duke and Jon Scheyer can’t match.
In Other News...
Jared Richardson Is Suddenly Central To Dukes Biggest Offensive Debate
Dukes offense is heading into the new season with a very different look, and the receiver room may be the biggest reason why. The Blue Devils have to replace their top three wideouts, leaving a major void around new quarterback Walker Eget, the San Jose State transfer who is set to take over the huddle. In that kind of turnover, every route, every rep and every bit of spring chemistry matters more than usual.
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 🡒]