Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: Jon Scheyer Educates Critics on Two Players' Fight

Duke basketball's Kyle Filipowski and Mark Mitchell deserve more respect, and they're in the process of commanding it.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Folks trying to find fault in Duke basketball is nothing new. The practice dates back decades. Sometimes, it's warranted.

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But to naysayers questioning the heart of sophomore forwards Kyle Filipowski and Mark Mitchell, second-year Duke head coach Jon Scheyer delivered a strong retort on Monday night after those two battle-tested starters powered the No. 9 Blue Devils (19-5, 10-3 ACC) to a 77-69 home win over unranked Wake Forest (16-8, 8-5 ACC).

"I though Mark and Flip were men," Scheyer said to the media following his team's third straight victory. "I thought they were really tough tonight. And these guys, anybody who doubts their toughness, or what they're about, they don't know Mark Mitchell, and they don't know Kyle Filipowski."

Filipowski and Mitchell, now averaging 17.4 and 13.1 points, respectively, each played all but two minutes against the Demon Deacons. They combined for 44 points, the first time they've both eclipsed 20 points in the same game as Blue Devils, while adding 18 rebounds and four blocks.

Furthermore, they drew a combined 13 fouls while committing only two apiece of their own. Altogether, it was quite a late-season flex from Duke's frontcourt duo.

"People are going to say what they want to say," Mitchell noted in the locker room afterward. "But I think we're growing together. I think that's really what matters, especially at this point in the season.

"When you get close in these late games, conference games, and it comes down to the nitty-gritty, it's not really X's and O's, it's just who's going to fight and who's going to compete. And tonight, I feel like we did that."

NEXT DUKE BASKETBALL GAME: at unranked Florida State (13-10, 7-5 ACC), 2 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN)

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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