Jon Scheyer ties one Duke basketball record Coach K didn't match
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Entering Monday night's 79-62 home win over Louisville, only three of the 20 first-year Duke basketball head coaches in history had tallied 20 wins: Chick Doak (20-4 in 1916-17 for then-Trinity College), Gerry Gerard (20-6 in 1942-43), and Harold Bradley (20-13 in 1950-51).
Now, the number is four, for the 35-year-old Jon Scheyer has guided the Blue Devils (20-8, 11-6 ACC) to that benchmark of success while enjoying a three-game win streak. And they have three regular-season games plus postseason play to come.
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Consider that retired legend and all-time NCAA wins leader Mike Krzyzewski, who went 17-13 (6-8 ACC) in his 1980-81 debut in Durham, is not on the list. In fairness to the five-time national champ — not to mention the coaches before him when seasons weren't as long — Duke played only 26 regular-season games his first year (31 now).
On the other hand, remember that Krzyzewski inherited three formidable upperclassmen: Gene Banks, Vince Taylor, and Kenny Dennard. Scheyer inherited only one in junior captain Jeremy Roach.
Duke's freshmen, notably the four in the starting lineup and key reserve Dariq Whitehead, are all now healthy, somewhat of a rarity in Durham this season. They're exhibiting considerable development, a product of their resiliency through all the ups and downs. And they're doing so all at once.
In short, with the help of Roach, along with grad transfers Ryan Young and Jacob Grandison, the primary Duke basketball rotation is starting to look rather dangerous at just the right time.
On that note, the Blue Devils can give Jon Scheyer the first-season Duke basketball wins record as soon as Saturday. They host Virginia Tech at 8 p.m. ET.
Sure, the Hokies defeated them in Blacksburg, 78-75. But Whitehead went out with a lower leg injury early in the second half of that matchup.
Furthermore, as another sign of Duke's willingness and ability to learn under Scheyer, it's worth noting that these Blue Devils have not lost twice to any opponent this season.
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