There was a lot to enjoy in Duke’s victory over Stanford, particularly Jaylen Blakes’ return to Cameron, when he received the most favorable ovation of any visitor who has ever played here.
However, on the opening play, he discovered that things were different, as 7-2 Khaman Maluach and 6-9 Cooper Flagg quickly caught him just over half court. When the shot clock expired a few minutes later, he still possessed the ball.
Blakes did not score until the second half, finishing with two points on 1-10/0-4 shooting.
Duke’s defense is essentially automatic at this point. With Duke’s quickness and length, defense keeps the team competitive in every game.
The offensive has been dubious at times. Not dubious, really. It has trailed behind the defense, however.
That is no longer the case, as the offense performed admirably on Saturday.
It’s not the 106 points; Duke was superior and Stanford couldn’t compete. That is going to happen.
And Duke has done an excellent job passing the ball this season. You witnessed it in the first half when Maliq Brown passed to Tyrese Proctor for an open layup. Everyone is selfless, which is unusual, and the ball just moves beautifully.
The most notable example was Malauch’s 8-9 shooting. We’re not sure, but we believe practically every basket came from a lob, which is just a result of good passing, sharing, and use of a lethal weapon.
Duke assisted on 23 of 40 shots, which is fairly excellent.
It’s more than that, though.
Duke has struggled with three-point shooting at times this season. Flagg’s vulnerability was noted early in the season. Now it’s predictable.
And this is especially true for Proctor. Remember when there were complaints of his three-point shot? Well, not anymore. Proctor is suddenly making excellent three-point shots. Proctor has gone 18-37 over the previous five games. That’s 48.6%.
We haven’t even discussed Kon Knueppel. He still has bad shooting nights, but that’s normal for a mature player. We’ve seen him shoot quite well. With Isaiah Evans and Mason Gillis off the bench, you have a deadly three-point shooting squad.
Like many Duke fans, we expected to see Caleb Foster play better, and while he didn’t enter the game until late, he was fantastic, scoring 10 points and grabbing three rebounds in six minutes. That was really promising.
We were thrilled to watch Maxime Raynaud, and while he is a great talent, he is mostly a perimeter guy. Nothing wrong with that in today’s game, especially in Europe, where he may finish up, but he struggled inside against much smaller defenders, which does not auger well for his NBA career.
A few more things.
The defense is one of our favorite aspects of this club, but what we really appreciate about it is that the players are not afraid to dive for the ball. Knueppel is the most likely to do it, although Flagg also does it frequently, as does almost everyone. The defensive mindset has extended across the rotation, and even Isaiah Evans, who in many systems would be a three-point specialist, is banging his butt on defense.
Duke dominated the Cardinals in this game, but make no mistake: this is a well-coached squad. Kyle Smith is just in his first year, but his squad is definitely on board. Stanford will improve, maybe significantly, as he finds his own players to fit within his system.
Scheyer is in Year 3, and this is his program. He won 27 games in his first two seasons and is 22-3 this year. We’ll speak about how he’s doing things and why he’s doing them so effectively later, but here’s a measure of his success that’s rather mind-blowing.
During the K period, we worried about how he’d lose a fantastic player – take Kyrie Irving, for example – but by the time the season started, we hadn’t talked about them much.
Think about it. Marvin Bagley left a massive void. We didn’t discuss that. Jayson Tatum did, too. We did not talk about it. How about Jason Williams? We didn’t talk about it.
Do you think about Coach K when you watch Duke these days?
We all think about him a lot, of course, but he and Scheyer executed this transfer flawlessly. This is not the post-Wooden UCLA or UNC Dean Smith. Scheyer has kept an extraordinarily high standard at Duke and done so well that no one is arguing, “He’s not Krzyzewski.”
That is, no one is stuck in the past. Duke supporters are enthusiastic about the future. When you look at sites where luminaries formerly coached, it’s nearly hard to pull off. It is virtually impossible to see a legend go while the program remains strong. Simply browse over this list and tell us we’re wrong. And, while UNC recovered under Williams and UConn is now doing well under Danny Hurley, both schools struggled before turning things around. In Kentucky, Joe B. Hall performed admirably, but he was never able to shake Rupp’s influence.
Coach K knew what he was doing when he selected Scheyer.
- John Wooden, UCLA
- Dean Smith, UNC
- Adolph Rupp, Kentucky
- Bob Knight, Indiana
- Everett Case, North Carolina State
- Roy Williams, UNC
- Jim Calhoun, UConn
The Duke Blue Devils and Cooper Flagg top the ESPN Basketball Power Index.
The Duke Blue Devils and Cooper Flagg Are Rising to the Top of the ESPN Basketball Power Index.
Few collegiate basketball programs can match the Duke Blue Devils’ success and prominence. Duke, known for constantly competing for national crowns and generating NBA-caliber players, has established itself as a dominant force. The 2025 season, on the other hand, marks the beginning of a new era for the Blue Devils, characterized by a unique combination of skill and high expectations. With the arrival of basketball prodigy Cooper Flagg, Duke has risen to the top rank in the ESPN Basketball Power Index (BPI), establishing itself as the team to beat this season.
This success extends beyond statistical prowess or the influence of a single player, but Flagg’s presence is certainly transformational. The BPI, a well-known analytical tool in college basketball, measures team performance utilizing sophisticated criteria such as individual statistics, team strength, and recent performance patterns. Duke’s climb to the top shows brilliance in all aspects of the game, from coaching and recruiting to player development and team dynamics. Let’s look at the elements that have contributed to Duke’s BPI supremacy and the revolutionary influence of Cooper Flagg.
A Legacy of Excellence: Duke Basketball’s Foundation.
Duke’s success is the result of a long history of exceptional coaching, recruiting, and player development. Duke won five national titles, had 12 Final Four trips, and had an unprecedented streak of NCAA Tournament qualifying. Coach K’s ability to cultivate elite athletes and build cohesive teams marked Duke’s dominance until his retirement in 2022.
Jon Scheyer, a former Duke player and assistant coach, takes over the program in 2022. Despite the enormous burden of following a legend, Scheyer has kept the program’s high expectations. Duke advanced to the Sweet 16 under his direction in 2024, and his distinct style has laid the groundwork for the Blue Devils to prosper in 2025. Cooper Flagg’s appointment is a watershed moment, ushering Duke into a new age of high expectations.
What ESPN’s Basketball Power Index reveals
The ESPN BPI evaluates team performance using extensive statistics, taking into account aspects such as player efficiency, team cohesion, schedule strength, and recent form. Duke’s top rating demonstrates its supremacy in each of the following areas:
Player efficiency refers to individual contributions such as scoring, defense, and overall influence.
Team synergy refers to the efficacy of team dynamics such ball movement and defensive collaboration.
Schedule strength refers to the quality of opponents encountered, including both conference and non-conference competition.
Recent Form: Momentum is determined by recent game performance.
Being placed first in the BPI not only represents Duke’s current talents, but also establishes them as a serious competitor in a field that includes powerhouses like as Kansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
Cooper Flagg: A Game Changer for the Blue Devils.
Cooper Flagg, Duke’s top recruit for the 2025 class, is at the center of the program’s ascent. Flagg, who is 6’8″, has unrivaled skill, athleticism, and basketball IQ, making him the most outstanding prospect since LeBron James. His flexibility enables him to score, defend, and create plays with ease, making him a strong two-way player.
Offensively, Flagg can shoot from distance, finish at the hoop, and set up plays for his teammates. On defense, he is an outstanding shot-blocker and multi-position defender who disrupts opponents’ tactics. His presence boosts not just his own performance but also that of others around him, blending easily into Scheyer’s system, which promotes collaboration and adaptability.
Beyond his abilities, Flagg’s leadership and poise improve the team’s cohesion. As a player used to the spotlight, he exudes confidence and motivates his teammates, cementing Duke’s reputation as a well-rounded and cohesive squad.
An extensive and talented supporting cast
While Flagg is the focal point, Duke’s depth and quality throughout the squad assure its competitive advantage. Notable contributors include:
Tyrese Proctor: A dynamic sophomore guard who can make plays and defend at a high level. Proctor’s growth will accelerate with Flagg’s presence.
Kyle Filipowski is a dynamic forward whose scoring and stature make him a difficult matchup for opponents. Filipowski’s skills compliment Flagg’s adaptability.
Mark Mitchell and Jaden Schutt: These wings combine defensive tenacity and offensive potency, with Mitchell excelling at lockdown defense and Schutt posing a perimeter shooting threat.
Duke’s blend of experienced veterans and budding stars allows the team to adapt to any opponent and succeed in high-pressure circumstances.
Championship Aspirations for 2025 Season
With the No. 1 BPI ranking, Duke enters the 2025 season as a top national championship candidate. The team’s success will be determined by its ability to stay focused and cohesive during a difficult schedule that includes tough ACC opponents as well as non-conference games.
While advanced statistics showcase Duke’s superiority, consistent on-court play will decide their long-term success. With Flagg’s transformational skill and a strong roster, the Blue Devils are primed to realize their full potential and retake their spot at the top of collegiate basketball.
In conclusion, Duke’s top ranking in the ESPN Basketball Power Index reflects the program’s ongoing success, the influence of Jon Scheyer’s leadership, and Cooper Flagg’s generational skill. With a stacked roster and championship hopes, the Blue Devils are poised to dominate the 2025 season. As the journey develops, all eyes will be on Durham to see if Duke can achieve its tremendous promise and win another national title.
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