In a move that transcends typical non-conference scheduling, Jon Scheyer — head coach of the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team — recently detailed the deeper meaning behind his squad’s upcoming trip to play Army Black Knights at Christl Arena on the campus of United States Military Academy (West Point).
Scheyer explained that the decision to play at West Point this early in the season is built on several layers of significance. First and foremost, the game is scheduled on Veterans Day — a poignant nod to the men and women who have served the country. “It means a lot,” Scheyer said of the road contest. “We started to have conversations for this game about two and a half years ago. … To honor all our veterans … that’s a special thing to be playing at West Point for that reason.”
But the meaning extends far beyond the date on the calendar. Scheyer stressed that the trip allows Duke to honour its own lineage. The Blue Devils’ program is inextricably linked to the legacy of Mike Krzyzewski — Duke’s legendary former head coach — who was himself a graduate of West Point. Scheyer notes that having Coach K accompany the team on this trip adds another dimension: “To honor Coach K. He’ll come on the trip with us … to share this experience with our players.”
From a competitive standpoint, Scheyer also emphasized the value of breaking from the comfortable confines of home court early in the season. Playing on the road — especially in the intimate, intense setting of Christl Arena, a venue seating just over 5,000 — provides a different type of challenge and learning opportunity for his young roster. He remarked that the team’s preparation and mindset benefit from being “tested on the road early … in something that’s more meaningful than just a basketball game.”
Duke, currently ranked No. 6 and 2-0 to begin the season, will bring a combination of youth and expectation to West Point. Scheyer’s comments reflect that he sees this matchup not merely as another non-conference win opportunity, but as a deliberate choice — a statement about values, respect, tradition, and growth. The veteran coach’s involvement, the venue steeped in history, the holiday dedicated to service — they all factor into the bigger picture.
He acknowledged the respect his team holds for the Black Knights’ program and coaching staff, while also recognizing the magnitude of the opportunity: “A ton of respect for Army and their coaching staff, their team, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Historically, Duke has dominated this matchup, holding a 9-0 record against Army since 1996 — and all but one of those games have been on Duke’s home court. The lone road contest came in West Point in the 1997-98 season. The rarity of this visit underlines just how special Scheyer sees this moment to be.
From a broader perspective, the trip also signals how Scheyer wants to build culture within the program. He is blending the competitive edge of Duke basketball with the character and discipline exemplified by West Point. The trip, for him, is as much about the mental and character growth of his players as it is about the final score.
As the Blue Devils prepare for tip-off, Scheyer’s message is clear: this isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about honoring service, embracing tradition, forging shared experience, and setting the tone for the season ahead. The journey to West Point is a chance for Duke’s program to reinforce its values, bind its community, and challenge itself in a unique setting.
