Most Improved Facet Duke's Incoming Roster Will Bring

This aspect of the game will be greatly improved for Duke next season.

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) reacts during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The Duke Blue Devils have reloaded and are prepared to contend for a National Championship once again in 2026-27.

Head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff will have what is likely their deepest and most championship-ready squad since Scheyer took over in Durham. The Blue Devils boast a perfect mix of veteran leaders, returning contributors, and elite freshman talent.

Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer shoots a ball during a practice session ahead of the east regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

In today's college basketball, continuity and experience matter more than raw talent, and it seems Scheyer and Co. are adapting to that new reality.

Now, it will be tough for the incoming Duke squad to top a 2025-26 campaign that saw the Blue Devils go 35-3 overall, win the ACC regular season and tournament titles, and earn the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, this facet of the game will assuredly improve.

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) drives against High Point Panthers guard Chase Johnston (99) during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Duke Set Up To Be Drastically Improved at Three-Point Line

At least on paper, the Blue Devils have the makeup to be an elite three-point shooting team next season with several guys who can get hot at any point. Across this past campaign, Duke had the pieces to knock down threes at a high clip, but the game-to-game efficiency never materialized.

In 2025-26, Scheyer's squad ranked 132nd nationally in team three-point shooting percentage (34.7) and 165th in percentage of total points from the three-point line (32.1), according to KenPom.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) dribbles the ball past St. John's Red Storm guard Oziyah Sellers (4) 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

Duke lived inside the paint, ranking seventh nationally in two-point shooting percentage (60.2) and fourth in offensive rebounding percentage (38.4), but the perimeter was a non-factor at times.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster (1) dribbles the ball as UConn Huskies guard Malachi Smith (0) defends 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

Duke Will Have Shooters All Over the Floor

In terms of returners, Caleb Foster shot nearly 40% from three on 3.0 attempts a season ago, and guys like Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr, despite lackluster percentages as rookies at Duke, have shown the ability to knock outside shots down consistently. Sarr shot over 44% from beyond the arc with FC Barcelona before he came to Durham.

Additionally, there are newcomers such as John Blackwell from Wisconsin, who shot 38.9% from three on 7.3 attempts last season, and is a career 37.3% three-point shooter. Redshirt freshman Sebastian Wilkins and incoming 5-star recruit Bryson Howard have also shown flashes of high-volume potential from the perimeter.

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

A season ago, Duke probably should've been a better three-point shooting team than it was. However, this incoming rotation isn't just deep; it has the potential to leave Duke as one of the top outside-shooting teams in college basketball.