Duke Basketball: Coach K Breaks Down Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils

Mike Krzyzewski sees a versatile Duke basketball team that can be better than last season if the players embrace their roles.

Duke basketball's Jon Scheyer and Mike Krzyzewski (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

Retired Duke basketball legend Mike Krzyzewski recently sat courtside in Cameron Indoor Stadium (on the floor named after him in "Coach K Court") next to his successor, second-year head coach Jon Scheyer. They watched the 2023-24 Blue Devils' second official — meaning officials were there — intrasquad scrimmage.

RELATED: Duke Rookie 'Cooks' in Team's Second Intrasquad Scrimmage

Nobody knows Duke basketball and what it takes to win better than Coach K.

So, during his 50-minute appearance on this week's episode of The Brotherhood Podcast, it's only fitting that host and grad center Ryan Young asked the five-time national champ and all-time wins leader for his initial impressions on a Blue Devil squad that, as of Monday, ranks No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25.

"The enthusiasm is good," the 76-year-old Krzyzewski noted (beginning at the 26:15 mark in the video below) to the 23-year-old Young, now in a tri-captain role with sophomore guard Tyrese Proctor and senior guard Jeremy Roach. "I think we're deeper [than last season]. We're not an above-the-rim team, like with [Dereck Lively II] last year...

"We have depth. We have more depth at the three perimeter spots. A lot more combinations...A big thing for you guys, Ryan, is everyone has got to be acceptant of a versatile role. Last year, it was a little bit more defined...It's not that way. We're deeper. And the team will look different with different guys out there. Last year, we were good, but it looked the same.

"Now, it can be better, but it's going to take everyone accepting minutes and roles, and the roles will be more versatile depending on who's in the game."

Duke basketball holds its Blue-White Scrimmage at Countdown to Craziness on Friday night. Then the Blue Devils play a "secret scrimmage" (reportedly against Villanova but with no reported date or venue yet) and an exhibition game against visiting UNC Pembroke on Nov. 1 to wrap up their preseason action.

Their regular season tips off five nights later against Dartmouth at home.

Check Out What Duke's Coach K Just Did in Raleigh

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball news.