The Duke basketball team opened its 2025–26 campaign with a statement win over Texas, reminding the college basketball world why Jon Scheyer’s squad entered the season ranked No. 6 nationally. The Blue Devils (1-0) displayed poise and maturity in their neutral-site victory, but as the early-season excitement settles, they now enter a stretch of games that, at least on paper, lack marquee matchups.
While Duke’s non-conference schedule boasts several national heavyweights, it also includes a handful of low-major opponents — a common but often underappreciated balance for elite programs. The next few weeks fall into the latter category. Starting Saturday, the Blue Devils host Western Carolina (0-1) in their home opener at Cameron Indoor Stadium, followed by two more games against mid-major competition.
To casual observers, these games might look like routine wins. For Scheyer and his staff, however, they’re opportunities — chances to test rotations, develop depth, and get a clearer sense of which young players can be trusted when the intensity ratchets up in January and beyond.
Building Depth Beyond the Headliners
Much of the national conversation around Duke centers on star freshmen Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans. Boozer, the son of former Duke All-American Carlos Boozer, arrived in Durham with immense expectations, and Evans, a dynamic wing, adds scoring punch and defensive length. Both players are likely to dominate highlight reels in the coming weeks, especially against smaller opponents.
But within the walls of Cameron, attention is also turning toward the Blue Devils’ next tier of contributors — players whose progress in November could determine how complete this team looks by March. That list includes Sebastian Wilkins, Darren Harris, and Cayden Boozer, each of whom faces an important stretch.
Wilkins, a talented forward known for his athleticism and defensive versatility, did not see the floor in Duke’s win over Texas. That absence wasn’t a reflection of his potential but rather a product of Scheyer’s tightened rotation in a high-stakes matchup. These upcoming games give Wilkins a perfect chance to establish himself as a dependable presence off the bench — someone who can bring energy, rebounding, and physicality to a frontcourt that will face elite competition in the ACC.
Harris, meanwhile, offers a different skill set. After a freshman season of sporadic minutes, the 6-6 sharpshooter spent the offseason transforming his body and improving his conditioning. The work paid off immediately on opening night, when he came off the bench and buried a first-half three-pointer against the Longhorns. Scheyer has praised Harris for his consistency and effort in practice, and these next few games will test whether his improved strength allows him to defend at a level that keeps him on the floor longer.
Then there’s Cayden Boozer, the younger of the Boozer brothers, whose arrival in Durham added yet another layer to Duke’s backcourt competition. Some projected the freshman as an immediate challenger to junior point guard Caleb Foster, but Foster looked composed and efficient in the opener. Still, Cayden’s ability to provide secondary scoring and playmaking could be vital as the season progresses. Scheyer has already hinted that he envisions lineups featuring both Boozer brothers — a pairing that could become one of Duke’s most exciting offensive combinations.
Establishing Trust and Roles Early
One of the defining challenges for Jon Scheyer in his third season as head coach has been balancing Duke’s depth with the need for continuity. The Blue Devils have one of the deepest rosters in the country, but finding the right mix of experience and youthful energy takes time. Early in the season, Scheyer typically experiments with different groupings, then gradually shortens his rotation as the games increase in magnitude.
That process starts now. The upcoming slate offers a low-pressure environment to test lineups — perhaps pairing Harris with veterans to gauge his defensive awareness, or giving Wilkins extended minutes in the frontcourt to see how he complements Boozer and Tyrese Proctor. It’s also an opportunity to strengthen the team’s defensive communication and chemistry, areas Scheyer identified as points of emphasis after the Texas game.
Why These Games Still Matter
It’s easy for fans to dismiss November blowouts as tune-ups, but for programs with national championship aspirations, these contests often set the tone for the months ahead. The players who emerge now — the ones who make hustle plays in a 25-point win or stay engaged in limited minutes — are the ones who often become postseason contributors.
For Duke, the next three games will also provide Scheyer and his staff with valuable film. They’ll be able to evaluate spacing, transition defense, and how well the team maintains intensity when the opponent isn’t a top-ten program. Those habits, good or bad, tend to carry over once conference play begins.
Looking Ahead
Tipoff between the Blue Devils and the Western Carolina Catamounts is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET on The CW Network inside Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke fans will undoubtedly pack the historic arena to celebrate the season’s home debut, but the focus for Scheyer’s team will be less about the final score and more about growth.
In a season filled with high expectations, the most important developments may not come under the brightest lights. Instead, they’ll happen in games like these — quiet stretches that give rising players a chance to earn trust, define roles, and prepare for the moments that matter most.
