Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Looks to Achieve New Jon Scheyer Era Feat

Duke basketball has a chance to make a serious statement versus the Tigers.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer / Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
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Duke basketball has never lost to the Auburn Tigers. But the program, 4-0 in the series, has never faced an Auburn squad that sits No. 2 in the AP Top 25 Poll and boasts a 7-0 overall record (0-0 SEC).

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Jon Scheyer's No. 9-ranked Blue Devils (5-2, 0-0 ACC), 0-2 versus current top-four teams in No. 1 Kansas and No. 4 Kentucky, hosts Bruce Pearl's battle-ready Maui Invitational champions at 9:15 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN) as part of the SEC/ACC Challenge.

Should Duke prevail, it would mark the second time that Scheyer has defeated a No. 2 team as head coach, as Houston ranked No. 2 when the Blue Devils knocked off the Cougars in last season's Sweet 16. And it would be his third win over a top-10 opponent, as the 2023-24 Duke basketball squad defeated then-No. 10 Baylor in Madison Square Garden last December.

However, the third-year head coach has also been at the helm for five losses in such matchups.

Plus, the 37-year-old Scheyer hasn't overseen a win over a top-10 foe in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Granted, there's been only one such attempt: Duke's 84-79 defeat at the hands of then-No. 7 UNC in the regular season finale last go-round.

Even so, Duke basketball enters the showdown against Auburn with a 27-15 all-time clip against top-10 teams in its famed college hoops venue.

ALSO READ: Former Duke Guard Jared McCain Nabs Big-Time NBA Honor

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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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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