Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: NC State Great Bringing Lions to Cameron

Duke basketball looks to improve to 4-0 versus Julius Hodge in Durham.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball
Duke basketball / Kevin Lytle/The Coloradoan, Fort Collins Coloradoan via Imagn Content Services, LLC
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The 2024-25 Duke basketball team's exhibition home opener against Division II Lincoln (Pa.) at 1 p.m. ET Saturday (ACC Network Extra) will mark the first meeting between the Blue Devils and Lions.

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However, it won't be the first trip to Cameron Indoor Stadium for the Lions' first-year head coach in 2001-05 NC State basketball guard and 2003-04 ACC Player of the Year Julius Hodge. It will be Hodge's head coaching debut, though, as his bunch faces the 37-year-old Jon Scheyer's third Duke squad, boasting a preseason No. 7 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll released on Monday.

As a player, the third-leading scorer in NC State basketball history finished 2-8 versus Duke. Both of the Wolfpack's wins were in Raleigh. Hodge's record in Cameron was 0-3.

"I've learned a lot about Lincoln since we've scheduled to play them," Jon Scheyer, who arrived in Durham as a player two seasons after Hodge wrapped up his college career in Raleigh, said about the HBCU school during his time on the stage at the ACC Tipoff media days last week. "They have a new coach, a coach that Duke fans know well in Julius.

"But it's been a great honor for me ever since I was a player to play in those games [against HBCU opponents] and have that connection, and it's something I hope we can continue to do."

Hodge came off the board No. 20 overall at the 2005 NBA Draft but spent only two years in the league before heading overseas. He made four stops as an assistant coach before taking over the Lions' reins.

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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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