5 Reasons To Get Excited for 2026-27 Duke Basketball

With a 19-point lead against UConn, many fans believed Duke was on its way to back-to-back Final Four appearances. That unfortunately did not happen, as UConn freshman guard Braylon Mullins broke Blue Devil hearts with a logo three at the buzzer.

Now, Jon Scheyer will have a significantly different roster heading into next season. Cameron Boozer, Isaiah Evans, and Patrick Ngongba will likely all leave for the NBA, Maliq Brown graduates, and there are questions about whether additional players could enter the transfer portal.

While Duke fans may not be as eager heading into next year as they were at this time last season, there are still plenty of reasons to be excited about what is coming. Let's break them down.

No Preseason Player of the Year Favorite at Duke

Cameron Boozer is likely to win the National Player of the Year award, giving Jon Scheyer back-to-back freshmen players to claim the honor. Next year, there most likely will not be a frontrunner for the award on the roster, and that should actually be exciting for Duke fans.

Without a transcendent star carrying all of the expectations, people watching college basketball next season will be reminded of just how good a coach Jon Scheyer is. After having Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer in back-to-back years, it will be equally compelling to watch which player steps into the role of go-to guy and how Scheyer develops him.

The Potential of Dame Sarr Returning

Dame Sarr did not meet the expectations placed on him at the start of the season. Coming over from FC Barcelona and the EuroLeague, Sarr entered the year as a projected first-round pick and carried significant hype coming in.

However, Sarr picked things up considerably in the second half of the season, showing flashes of his offensive ability while remaining a strong defensive presence. While his first-round stock may have slipped this year, he demonstrated the potential to be a first-round pick next season with another year of development at Duke.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Dame Sarr (7) reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

If he returns, he immediately becomes one of the most experienced and intriguing players on the roster.

The Nation's Top Recruiting Class, Again

For the third straight year, Jon Scheyer is bringing in the number one-ranked recruiting class in the country. The 2026 class includes three five-star players and one four-star prospect, tying the highest number of five-star commits Scheyer has landed in a single class since his first recruiting cycle in 2022.

Cameron Williams is the headliner and the highest-rated player in the class for the Blue Devils. Bryson Howard and Deron Rippey Jr. add scoring and playmaking to the backcourt, while Maxime Meyer, the lone four-star commit, could carve out a role in what figures to be a very open frontcourt rotation.

The Best Backcourt in College Basketball

Caleb Foster is entering his senior season, and while his return from injury produced some ups and downs in the tournament, he showed significant improvement from his first two years at Duke. As a senior with something to prove, Foster has every reason to have the best year of his career.

Alongside Foster will be five-star freshman Deron Rippey Jr., an electric scorer who can create his own shot and bring real defensive energy as well. Cayden Boozer is another backcourt player to watch.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster (1) dribbles the ball against St. John's Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Yes, he had the critical turnover against UConn, but the rising sophomore played very well during the stretch when Foster was injured and should not be written off by the coaching staff or the fan base. This backcourt has the potential to be one of the most dynamic in the country next season.

Facing North Carolina With New Head Coach

Duke's success this season came at the expense of the rivalry. North Carolina parted ways with head coach Hubert Davis following the Tar Heels' first-round exit against VCU. Davis is a good coach who will likely find another opportunity, but it became clear that he was not the right long-term fit for the program.

North Carolina will pursue big names, and whoever they hire figures to be a strong coach capable of returning the Tar Heels to contention. The Duke-UNC rivalry is widely regarded as the best in college sports, and it is simply more fun for everyone when both programs are competing at a high level. Next year has the potential to bring real energy back to one of basketball's greatest rivalries.