Navigating Duke's Challenging Non-Conference Schedule

Duke will open a new season on Tuesday in Charlotte against the Texas Longhorns behind another roster flip with plenty of freshmen leading the way.

Last year, Cooper Flagg made a statement in Duke's season-opener against Maine at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and Blue Devils fans will likely be searching for the same from Cameron Boozer this time around.

Boozer might have already provided that hope, posting double-doubles in both exhibition games against UCF and on the road at Tennessee. The forward might already be one of the best players in the country, and coach Jon Scheyer is going to need him right away.

Feb 1, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer reacts during the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

The Slate Breakdown

The Blue Devils have another tough non-conference slate, as per usual under Scheyer. The fourth-year coach in Durham has scheduled aggressively outside of the ACC. He has not been afraid to schedule matchups with top teams to boost their resume, while running the risk of losing and hurting themselves in the process.

After Texas, Duke will see No. 19 Kansas at Madison Square Garden in the Champions Classic on Nov. 18. They'll also face off with John Calipari's No. 14 Arkansas at the United Center in Chicago on Thanksgiving.

Duke guard Caleb Foster (1) moves the ball while guarded by Tennessee forward Felix Okpara (34) in a college basketball exhibition game on October 26, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Blue Devils will then get to host the defending champion No. 3 Florida Gators on Dec. 2, before traveling to East Lansing and seeing No. 22 Michigan State. Duke will finally wrap up a daunting non-conference lineup against No. 10 Texas Tech back at Madison Square Garden.

In late February, in the midst of ACC play, Duke will meet Michigan in our nation's capitol at Capital One Arena.

Feb 5, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Maliq Brown (6) controls the ball during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

“Our schedule we have this year is one of the craziest, if not the craziest schedule I’ve ever seen,” senior Maliq Brown said at ACC Media Day.

Under Scheyer, Duke's strength of schedule has ranked at 43rd, 44th and 34th in the country. However, in the non-conference with Scheyer, the strength of schedule has bumped up to 16th, 25th and fifth just last season.

Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer during the college basketball exhibition game against Tennessee on October 26, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Facing six ranked teams in the AP preseason poll, as well as physical Texas and Army squads, might just be the toughest slate yet from Scheyer.

“Several nights, I stay up a little bit later thinking, ‘What did I do?’” Scheyer said at ACC Media Day. “In the moment, it definitely made sense. I think it makes sense. But there's no question it's going to be challenging and exciting.”

Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) and guard/forward Nikolas Khamenia (14) celebrate during a college basketball exhibition game against Tennessee and Duke on October 26, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. | Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Blue Devils will have their depth tested early facing some of the best teams in the country. While many eyes will be on the freshman mix of Boozer, Nikolas Khamenia and Dame Sarr, Duke is slated to face some teams with talented guards, making the rotation between Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer interesting.

There is definitely a balance Duke will need to strike between it's reliance on threes from Isaiah Evans other guards, and letting Boozer go to work down low, which worked well in exhibition play. It's similar to the balance Scheyer strives for in scheduling, trying to boost a resume and still keep the team afloat.

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