2024-25 Schedule Intel
- Thread starter gam7
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gam7
Member
Updated Draft 2024-25 Duke MBB Schedule
Non-Conference Games
Nov. 4: vs. Maine
Nov. __: ________
Nov. 12: vs. Kentucky (Champions Classic); @Atlanta, GA
Nov. 21: @Arizona
Nov. 26: vs. Kansas (2024 Vegas Showdown); @"Vegas baby, Vegas!"
Nov. 29: vs. Seattle (2024 Vegas Showdown)
[Dec. __: ________ (ACC-SEC Challenge)]
Dec. 17: vs. George Mason
Feb. __: vs. Illinois; @New York, NY (MSG)
Conference Games
Home/Away: North Carolina, Wake Forest, Miami
Home: Cal, Florida State, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Stanford, Virginia Tech
Away: Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, SMU, Syracuse, Virginia
In addition to what I've listed above, we can expect two more non-conference games to be added to the schedule. They probably will both be home games, one of which I suspect will occur between the Kentucky and Arizona games and the other of which will be between the ACC-SEC Challenge game and George Mason.
Non-Conference Games
Nov. 4: vs. Maine
Nov. __: ________
Nov. 12: vs. Kentucky (Champions Classic); @Atlanta, GA
Nov. 21: @Arizona
Nov. 26: vs. Kansas (2024 Vegas Showdown); @"Vegas baby, Vegas!"
Nov. 29: vs. Seattle (2024 Vegas Showdown)
[Dec. __: ________ (ACC-SEC Challenge)]
Dec. 17: vs. George Mason
Feb. __: vs. Illinois; @New York, NY (MSG)
Conference Games
Home/Away: North Carolina, Wake Forest, Miami
Home: Cal, Florida State, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Stanford, Virginia Tech
Away: Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, SMU, Syracuse, Virginia
In addition to what I've listed above, we can expect two more non-conference games to be added to the schedule. They probably will both be home games, one of which I suspect will occur between the Kentucky and Arizona games and the other of which will be between the ACC-SEC Challenge game and George Mason.
hallcity
Member
For very long term planning purposes, Matt Norlander says this is the future plan for games between Duke and Kansas:
'24—Vegas
'25—Champions Classic (MSG, I think)
'26—@ Duke or KU
'27—@ KU or Duke
'28—Champions (if still a thing then!)
'24—Vegas
'25—Champions Classic (MSG, I think)
'26—@ Duke or KU
'27—@ KU or Duke
'28—Champions (if still a thing then!)
scottdude8
Moderator, front page and podcast contributor
You can add to this the second part of the "MTE", which is Duke hosting Seattle on Friday, November 29.
I mentioned this when the Seattle component of the MTE was just in the initial "rumors" stage, but I really like this add to the schedule. Seattle finished as KenPom's #107 team last year, so if they perform similarly this year they'll be at the level of a bad power conference team, much like George Mason does... teams around KP #100 last year include the likes of Stanford, Arkansas, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma State. While games like this may not jump off the page when it comes to the quadrant system (they'll likely be Q3 since they're at home), they're the type of games that can do wonders in helping our overall SOS and, in turn, our adjusted efficiency numbers that are so important to the NET. Plus, I happen to think a team, especially one with as much potential as we think this Duke team will have, will benefit more from contests against decent opposition as opposed to opposition that is completely overmatched. Give me a Q3 game over a Q4 game every day, especially a Q3 game that has some chance of sneaking into Q2 (which could happen if Seattle or George Mason finds its way into the NET Top 75, which is not at all out of the question).
gam7
Member
Already included the Seattle game in that draft!
Dr. Maturin
Member
I *love* the idea of a home and home with Kansas. I'm sure it would be a tough ticket, but a trip to see Duke play at AFH sounds amazing.
Not sure I love this MTE. For two straight years we're not playing a major tournament. The Seattle game is just a buy game, albeit against an okay opponent. The Kansas game in Vegas should be good, but I would have probably preferred a different neutral site opponent given how often we already play KU in the Champions Classic.
Given that we're returning the visit to Arizona this year, and potentially starting a home and home with KU in two years, there's room to play another home and home in 24-25/25-26. I think we need at least one more difficult game on the schedule, but preferably 2.
Not sure I love this MTE. For two straight years we're not playing a major tournament. The Seattle game is just a buy game, albeit against an okay opponent. The Kansas game in Vegas should be good, but I would have probably preferred a different neutral site opponent given how often we already play KU in the Champions Classic.
Given that we're returning the visit to Arizona this year, and potentially starting a home and home with KU in two years, there's room to play another home and home in 24-25/25-26. I think we need at least one more difficult game on the schedule, but preferably 2.
scottdude8
Moderator, front page and podcast contributor
So you did, and I completely missed it! D'oh!
scottdude8
Moderator, front page and podcast contributor
Well, if we assume the ACC-SEC Challenge game is a "difficult" one (and that's a fair assumption... Arkansas falling off of a hill was the exception and not the norm last year), it's looking like our non-conference schedule will include 5 clear Q1 opportunities, 2 "strong" buy games that will be on the Q2/Q3 border, and one traditional "cupcake" in Maine, with one hole left to fill. That is a pretty darn ambitious non-conference schedule... all we lose by not doing a traditional MTE is the ability to get one more game (a 3 game MTE as opposed to a 2 gamer), and even in that scenario typically the first game in the MTE is of the Q2/Q3 variety (unless it's a year with an absolutely stacked Maui or Atlantis field). I'm with you in hoping that we fill the final hole with another solid game, hopefully a home and home type deal, but if we don't our schedule right now already looks to be much stronger than last year's and could be amongst the toughest in the country depending on how things shake out.
Dr. Maturin
Member
Yeah, if the ACC/SEC gives us a good opponent, that's 5. I'd still like to see a 6th. The ACC just doesn't provide enough Q1 games anymore.
gam7
Member
Has that MTE rule changed recently? It very well may have. But, this article from 2020 says that in April 2020, "the Division I Council passed legislation that allows men's basketball programs to schedule up to 28 regular-season games and participate in an MTE that has up to three games, or 29 regular-season games while participating in an MTE that has up to two games, for a total of 31 games in either scheduling option."
If we can schedule 31 games before the ACC Tourney, that would leave us with the game we know will be after Maine and before Kentucky, and then two more, which I think will be (i) between the Kentucky and Arizona games, and then (ii) between the ACC-SEC Challenge game and George Mason.
scottdude8
Moderator, front page and podcast contributor
You know what, I might be thinking about a more antiquated time when the whole point of an MTE was that it only "counted" as one game, which allowed teams to get in more non-conference matchups. I think you're right that the number of games is more normalized now that MTEs are the norm and not the exception.
I don't think ESPN will be able to resist sending Calipari and the Hogs into Cameron. Pretty sure he's never been there, and now with the shocking move to Arkansas, him reloading that roster, plus it being the return game from last year . . . it would be must see TV.
I agree - last season many of the top teams got 6 (projected) good non-con games, although all of them other than Alabama and Arizona got there by virtue of being in either the Maui or Atlantis MTEs that provide chances for at least 2 and sometimes 3 top games.
I was hoping that they would structure this Kansas MTE to get multiple high-level games, and it sure looks like they could have with the game @ Arizona on Nov. 21 and the Kansas game in Vegas on Nov. 26, there would have been plenty of opportunity to set it up with another strong game in Vegas Nov. 25. But, it seems that's not the direction Duke is going. So, my guess is that Duke will max out at 5 tough non-con games; we will certainly get a good opponent in the SEC challenge -- if it's not Arkansas, then it would almost certainly be either Alabama (likely pre-season Top 8) or Auburn (likely pre-season Top 12), both of whom are set up for road games this year).
But, I would guess based on how the remaining potential open dates line up that it is unlikely Duke will schedule any further strong non-con games, as:
(i) Duke has for many years not played games during Finals and seemingly avoided major non-con games going into or directly out of Finals:
(ii) Duke has for many years given players at least a 4-5 day break around Christmas and not scheduled a challenging non-con game coming out of that break; and
(iii) scheduling the Illinois game for February means that, unless Duke takes the extraordinary step of playing 3 conference games in a week, with only 18 available playing dates between Sat. Jan. 4 and Sat. March 8 (taken up by Illinois and 17 ACC games) Duke will need to play 3 ACC games earlier than Jan. 4. Thus, I'd expect it to play out something like this:
11/4 Maine
11/7 or 8 [Cupcake tbd]
11/12 Kentucky (@ Atlanta)
11/15 [Cupcake tbd]
11/21 @ Arizona
11/26 Kansas (@ Las Vegas)
11/29 Seattle
12/3 or 4 [Arkansas, Alabama or Auburn] [SEC Challenge]
12/7 ACC game
[Finals Dec. 11-16]
12/17 George Mason
12/20 or 21, 12/27 or 12/28, and 12/31 or 1/1 [1 Cupcake and 2 ACC games]
1/4 - 3/8 - 17 ACC games + Illinois
DukieTiger
Member
Have to disagree with the bolded statement. There was a time when playing in an MTE was a huge deal to Duke under K, as it was the team’s first opportunity to practice playing for a championship in a single elimination format, with short prep windows for the second and third round games.
It’s not a make or break, but I remember K making a big deal out of it. For example, when Duke won Maui in 2007 - it was the first championship the core 2010 group won together and they made a big deal out of it.
I’d also submit that we are “losing” something as fans when Duke plays in these super casual MTEs. The Kansas game will still be great, but there is a heightened level of intensity in these games when it’s for a championship. It’s a shame we won’t get to see Cooper Flagg play in one of these.
JasonEvans
Host, The Duke Basketball Roundup
A couple things to add to this...
I won't be at all surprised if the team goes straight from Arizona to Las Vegas and just stays in "Sin City" for a few days ahead of the Kansas game. I have heard through a little birdie that there may be some interesting NIL opportunities set up in Vegas that the players will be able to exploit (unofficially, of course). I also believe there will be some events in Vegas the weekend ahead of the Kansas game for some of the whales inside the Duke donor community.
I really hope will see Duke again taking part in one of these tropical MTE tournaments next season -- like at the Atlantis or in Maui. We are sorta overdue for one of these events. If you look at recent history, Duke has done a "vacation spot" tourney fairly often but sometimes diverts to something significant that feels like a priority for Coach K.
2024 - Vegas vs Kansas
2023 - outlier, not sure why we didn't do anything "fun"
2022 - PK 85 - K knows Phil Knight and it was important for us to be a part of this Nike showcase event
2021 - Vegas vs Gonzaga
2020 - Covid... very limited travel
2019 - New York for the Wounded Warrior Project, something close to K's heart. Played Cal and Georgetown
2018 - Maui - loaded field that included Gonzaga
2017 - PK 80 - God, was that fun watching Bagley, Carter, Trent, and Allen just roll over teams in the second half of games
2016 - Vegas vs UNLV - this was kinda a "meh" year
2015 - New York for the Wounded Warrior Project against VCU and GTown
I won't be at all surprised if the team goes straight from Arizona to Las Vegas and just stays in "Sin City" for a few days ahead of the Kansas game. I have heard through a little birdie that there may be some interesting NIL opportunities set up in Vegas that the players will be able to exploit (unofficially, of course). I also believe there will be some events in Vegas the weekend ahead of the Kansas game for some of the whales inside the Duke donor community.
I really hope will see Duke again taking part in one of these tropical MTE tournaments next season -- like at the Atlantis or in Maui. We are sorta overdue for one of these events. If you look at recent history, Duke has done a "vacation spot" tourney fairly often but sometimes diverts to something significant that feels like a priority for Coach K.
2024 - Vegas vs Kansas
2023 - outlier, not sure why we didn't do anything "fun"
2022 - PK 85 - K knows Phil Knight and it was important for us to be a part of this Nike showcase event
2021 - Vegas vs Gonzaga
2020 - Covid... very limited travel
2019 - New York for the Wounded Warrior Project, something close to K's heart. Played Cal and Georgetown
2018 - Maui - loaded field that included Gonzaga
2017 - PK 80 - God, was that fun watching Bagley, Carter, Trent, and Allen just roll over teams in the second half of games
2016 - Vegas vs UNLV - this was kinda a "meh" year
2015 - New York for the Wounded Warrior Project against VCU and GTown
CrazyNotCrazie
Member
Didn't we have the pre-season Chicago trip last year where they had to cancel the actual basketball scrimmage part but they got the VIP tour of the city for a few days? Not the same as what you are referencing but a nice perk for the players.
I really expected to be back in the Maui Invitational this season. Why the Maui drought?
brevity
Member
It won't be the Maui Invitational, as that event announced its 2025 field about 18 months early: Baylor, NC State, Oregon, Seton Hall, Texas, UNLV, and USC join host Chaminade.
The Battle 4 Atlantis is still a possibility next year. The 2023 field was announced in June 2022, while this year's field was announced last August. So we should know more about the 2025 field later this summer.
With Kentucky landing Jaxon Robinson from BYU, it seems Mark Pope is rounding out what should be quite a formidable team -- I wouldn't be surprised to see UK work its way into the Top 25 by the time we play them in the Champions Classic.
And, if nothing else, between Robinson, Butler, Kriisa, Brea, Oweh, Carr, Armani Williams and Ansley Almanor they will have 8 Seniors/Covid 5th years to test our young guys right out of the gate.
And, if nothing else, between Robinson, Butler, Kriisa, Brea, Oweh, Carr, Armani Williams and Ansley Almanor they will have 8 Seniors/Covid 5th years to test our young guys right out of the gate.
hallcity
Member
Jon Rothstein says Duke will have a home game with Auburn in the ACC-SEC Challenge. Here's the full lineup:
Arkansas @ Miami
Cal @ Mizzou
FSU @ LSU
GT @ OU
UK @ Clemson
ND @ UGA
Ole Miss @ Louisville
SC @ BC
Cuse @ Tenn
Wake @ A&M
Alabama @ UNC
Auburn @ Duke
Pitt @ Miss St
Texas @ NC St
Vandy @ VT
UVA @ UF
Arkansas @ Miami
Cal @ Mizzou
FSU @ LSU
GT @ OU
UK @ Clemson
ND @ UGA
Ole Miss @ Louisville
SC @ BC
Cuse @ Tenn
Wake @ A&M
Alabama @ UNC
Auburn @ Duke
Pitt @ Miss St
Texas @ NC St
Vandy @ VT
UVA @ UF