The Duke Blue Devils are off to a strong start this season, standing at 15-1 overall and 4-0 in ACC play. They’ve taken down six ranked teams and continue to climb the national rankings. Yet, despite the impressive win-loss record, there are clear signs that this young Duke team, under head coach Jon Scheyer, is still trying to find its true rhythm — especially when it comes to consistency on both ends of the floor.
Blue Devils Show Talent But Struggle with Slow Starts
After a solid road win over No. 20 Louisville, where they dominated the second half and saw standout performances from Cameron Boozer, Caleb Foster, and Isaiah Evans, Duke returned home for what should have been a statement game against No. 24 SMU. Instead, they found themselves down 11-0 to start the game — even without SMU’s top scorer, Boopie Miller.
It’s a trend that’s becoming too familiar.
Earlier in the season, Duke trailed late against Georgia Tech, a team expected to be heavily outmatched, and barely escaped Florida State with a narrow four-point win. These early-game stumbles have become a pattern, and it’s a concern that’s growing louder as ACC play intensifies.
Lineup Shifts in Search of Defensive Energy
In an effort to shake things up, Scheyer introduced Maliq Brown and Dame Sarr into the starting five — both known more for their defense than offense. Brown, making his first-ever start after 42 games in a Duke jersey, and Sarr, a freshman, were tasked with bringing much-needed intensity early in the game.
Their impact is clear in the stats: they rank second and third in steals on the team despite playing fewer minutes than top scorer Boozer. Scheyer made it clear this change was about defensive spark, not scoring.
Still, the early lapse against SMU showed that lineup changes alone won’t fix Duke’s first-half woes.
Inconsistent Scoring Leaves Questions
While Cameron Boozer continues to dominate with an average of 22.9 points per game, the rest of the offense remains unpredictable. Foster, after dropping a career-high 20 against Louisville, went completely cold versus SMU, shooting 0-for-5 with zero points. That inconsistency is troubling for a team aiming to be a title contender.
On the bright side, other players stepped up. Isaiah Evans had a strong outing with 21 points, and Patrick Ngongba II posted a career-high 17 points. But that’s also part of the problem — Duke doesn’t seem to have a steady No. 2 scorer. While their depth and flexibility can confuse opponents, it can also lead to confusion within the team itself.
A Team With Talent, Still Finding Its Identity
Duke’s mix of underclassmen and role players shows plenty of potential, but the team is still figuring out its best formula. That’s not unusual for a young team, but with March approaching and every ACC game carrying more weight, the need for consistency — especially in the first half — becomes more urgent.
Whether it’s rotating the lineup, leaning more on experienced players, or tightening the defensive sets, the Blue Devils have work to do. Their current record may mask some of the concerns, but come tournament time, these flaws can be exposed quickly.
