Duke basketball is turning its attention toward a new season, and head coach Jon Scheyer is once again at the center of the Blue Devils’ preparations. After another highly successful campaign that ended with an Elite Eight appearance, Duke is beginning the process of building a new team for the 2026–27 season.
Scheyer enters his fifth season as Duke’s head coach following four seasons that have established him as a major figure in the program’s modern era. Duke’s official coaching profile lists 124 victories for Scheyer through his first four seasons, along with three ACC Tournament championships, three Elite Eight appearances and a Final Four appearance. citeturn0search3
The next challenge, however, is to start over with a new group of players while maintaining the standards that have surrounded Duke basketball for decades.
A New Season After Another Deep Tournament Run
Duke finished the 2025–26 season with a 35–3 record and captured both the ACC regular-season and ACC Tournament championships. The Blue Devils also earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament before advancing to the Elite Eight. citeturn0search1turn0search8
The Elite Eight appearance was Duke’s 26th in program history and marked the third consecutive season in which Scheyer guided the Blue Devils to a regional final.
Although the season did not end with a national championship, the results gave Duke another strong foundation heading into the offseason. The program’s last two seasons have produced consecutive 35-win campaigns, giving the Blue Devils a combined 70–7 record over that span. citeturn0search0
Now the focus has shifted completely toward the 2026–27 campaign.
Scheyer Begins His Fifth Season
Scheyer’s fifth season represents another important stage in his tenure.
The former Duke captain took over the program following the retirement of Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski after the 2021–22 season. Since then, Scheyer has guided the Blue Devils through four NCAA Tournament appearances, including three trips to the Elite Eight and a Final Four appearance. citeturn0search3
His 2025–26 season also brought individual recognition, as he was named the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I Coach of the Year after leading Duke to its 35–3 record and ACC championships. citeturn0search1
That history provides context for the expectations surrounding Duke as another season approaches.
But Scheyer cannot simply rely on what happened in previous seasons. College basketball rosters change quickly, and the Blue Devils must develop chemistry among returning players, transfers and incoming recruits.
Duke Brings Back Important Pieces
One of the biggest storylines entering the new season is the amount of production Duke is bringing back.
According to Duke Athletics, five players from last year’s team return, including four of the team’s top six scorers: Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba II and Dame Sarr.
Those returning players combined for 1,131 points, 533 rebounds and 311 assists during the 2025–26 season. citeturn0search0
That experience could provide Scheyer with an important starting point as he builds the new roster.
Duke is also welcoming three transfers and a recruiting class ranked No. 2 nationally by Duke Athletics. The combination means the coaching staff will have to determine how the returning players and newcomers fit together.
For the returning players, the challenge will be taking on expanded leadership responsibilities. For the newcomers, it will be about learning Duke’s system and adjusting to the expectations that come with playing at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
A Difficult Schedule Awaits
Duke’s schedule will provide plenty of opportunities for the new team to test itself.
The Blue Devils’ preseason begins with Countdown to Craziness on October 3 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke will then host Belmont for a scrimmage on October 8, play Tennessee in an exhibition game on October 20 and travel to Kansas for another exhibition contest on October 25. citeturn0search0turn0search2
The regular season opens November 2 against Army at Cameron Indoor Stadium, followed by a November 5 home game against Coastal Carolina.
One of the first major tests comes November 10, when Duke faces Michigan State at the United Center in Chicago as part of the State Farm Champions Classic. citeturn0search2turn0search11
The non-conference schedule also includes games against Illinois, Washington State, Connecticut, Florida, Texas Tech and Gonzaga.
Duke’s official schedule announcement notes that six of its non-conference opponents earned a No. 5 seed or better in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and finished in the final Associated Press Top 25. citeturn0search2
That schedule should give Scheyer and his staff plenty of information about the new team’s strengths and areas that need improvement.
ACC Competition Will Bring Another Challenge
The conference schedule adds another layer to the season.
Duke will play an 18-game ACC schedule featuring home-and-away meetings with North Carolina and Virginia. The Blue Devils will also host California, Florida State, Miami, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt and Stanford.
On the road, Duke will face Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, SMU, Syracuse and Wake Forest. citeturn0search4
ACC play begins December 30 at Georgia Tech.
The conference schedule will test Duke’s depth and consistency, particularly as the season progresses and the team adjusts to the demands of playing multiple high-level opponents.
The Focus Is on Building the Next Duke Team
For Scheyer, the beginning of a new season is ultimately about creating a team rather than simply assembling talented players.
Duke has returned enough production to provide experience, while its transfers and incoming recruiting class add new possibilities. The coaching staff must now determine which combinations work best and how each player can contribute.
The process will involve practices, preseason contests and early-season games before the Blue Devils enter the heart of the ACC schedule.
The team will also have to establish its identity.
Will Duke rely heavily on its returning players? How quickly will the newcomers become comfortable? Which players will emerge as leaders? How will Scheyer distribute minutes and responsibilities?
Those questions will gradually be answered once the team begins competing.
Cameron Indoor Stadium Awaits
Few environments in college basketball generate the attention surrounding a Duke home game. Cameron Indoor Stadium will once again be the stage for the Blue Devils as they begin another campaign under Scheyer.
The preseason Countdown to Craziness event on October 3 will provide fans with an early opportunity to see the 2026–27 team. citeturn0search2
From there, the schedule quickly moves toward meaningful competition.
The expectations surrounding Duke will remain significant because of what Scheyer and his players have accomplished during the past two seasons. Yet the 2026–27 team will ultimately have to establish its own story.
A New Chapter Begins
Duke enters the 2026–27 season with a combination of returning production, new talent and a demanding schedule.
The Blue Devils are coming off a 35–3 season, an ACC championship double and another Elite Eight appearance. Scheyer has already established a strong early record as head coach, but the upcoming campaign brings a different roster and another opportunity to compete at the highest level. citeturn0search0turn0search3
The road ahead begins with preseason preparation and continues through a challenging non-conference schedule before ACC play takes center stage.
For Scheyer and Duke, the message is simple: the previous season is now part of the history books.
The next chapter starts now.
The Blue Devils will have to build their identity, develop chemistry and navigate the demanding schedule in front of them. With experienced players returning and several new pieces joining the program, Duke’s 2026–27 journey is ready to begin.
And once again, all eyes will be on Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils
