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MBB: Duke 75, Texas 60 (November 4, 2025) Postgame Thread
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scottdude8
Moderator, front page and podcast contributor
Despite the slow start, I think Jon Scheyer got EXACTLY what he wanted out of this contest. These guys now know how to play when the opposing gameplan is “make it a rugby match,” which history tells us will happen a few times. We took that punch, adjusted at half, and when the whistles turned we took advantage. Cam in particular isn’t going to play many halves like that first one.
All 9 guys who played had a basket, a rebound, and an assist. That’s incredible, and arguably without precedent in modern Duke history against a strong opponent. That bodes extremely well.
P.S. Texas’s center is one of the dirtier players I’ve seen in a while and is going to get hit with a bunch of flagrants this year.
All 9 guys who played had a basket, a rebound, and an assist. That’s incredible, and arguably without precedent in modern Duke history against a strong opponent. That bodes extremely well.
P.S. Texas’s center is one of the dirtier players I’ve seen in a while and is going to get hit with a bunch of flagrants this year.
DukieInBrasil
Member
loved that Slim drive n dunk late in the game! Duke +16 in the 2nd half. Not great FG shooting overall, but slightly better than ok from 3. Lots of FTs, and we made a good chunk of them.
I didn't like that both Maliq and Big Oat fouled out. Maliq gets a pass due to it being his first game speed play in a while, but I hope Big Oat doesn't foul that liberally all that often this year.
I didn't like that both Maliq and Big Oat fouled out. Maliq gets a pass due to it being his first game speed play in a while, but I hope Big Oat doesn't foul that liberally all that often this year.
Great second half against a very, very physical Texas team. We literally watched Cam Boozer adjust to the college game tonight. Was soft in the first half finishing at the rim and started playing much more physical and stronger at the rim in the second. Isaiah was great and Caleb had a great second half. Happy with this November 4th performance!
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Native
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100%. The whole game, I was thinking to myself, “the story of this game is Scheyer’s scheduling.”
Tennessee and Texas back to back—two big, physical teams with veteran coaches. And we’re 2-0 against them but with learning moments along the way. Very ideal for this team’s development.
Native
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This is going to happen multiple times this season, I think. Good for us to adjust now and learn how to play with Cam as the small ball 5.
From Scheyer’s demeanor when we went to that lineup, I’d be willing to wager that he expects this too.
scottdude8
Moderator, front page and podcast contributor
It was quite telling that he had the confidence to take one of the only mid range jumpers all game and sink it (at a crucial juncture no less!). Last year’s Caleb passes up that shot 10 times out of 10.
dukeblue1206
Member
It might go overlooked but the job Foster did on Pope defensively when he subbed back in in the second half was outstanding. Pope had been cooking with Cayden guarding him but didn't hit another bucket once Foster came back in. Props to him for that effort after a rough first half
ChillinDuke
Member
First half was a mess. Second half much better.
When Caleb Foster plays instinctive, assertive basketball, he shows flashes of excellence. When he thinks too much, he really gums himself up.
If we get 2nd half Caleb for the majority of the season, we should be quite good.
- Chillin
Good to be 1-0. Great to see the full squad together.
The game was decided when Jon went back to the starters midway through the second half and they pushed the lead out. I echo the praise of Caleb who was playing lock down D and got a few buckets during that stretch. Limiting our turnovers, reducing the rebounding disparity and not putting them on the line in the second half was vital.
It helped that Texas’ big gacked two bunnies in the first minute of the second half as we ran off 10 straight.
Slim’s first half scoring and Cam’s second half dominance were huge. Dame getting the start was notable, and I thought he was really effective, he played 28 minutes.
We have so much depth, it will be hard to use it all and maximize the team’s ceiling.
Lots of potential, double digit win without our A game.
On to a stretch of overmatched foes. Glad we had a tougher first game.
The game was decided when Jon went back to the starters midway through the second half and they pushed the lead out. I echo the praise of Caleb who was playing lock down D and got a few buckets during that stretch. Limiting our turnovers, reducing the rebounding disparity and not putting them on the line in the second half was vital.
It helped that Texas’ big gacked two bunnies in the first minute of the second half as we ran off 10 straight.
Slim’s first half scoring and Cam’s second half dominance were huge. Dame getting the start was notable, and I thought he was really effective, he played 28 minutes.
We have so much depth, it will be hard to use it all and maximize the team’s ceiling.
Lots of potential, double digit win without our A game.
On to a stretch of overmatched foes. Glad we had a tougher first game.
UrinalCake
Member
That was huge and disrupted their whole offense. Foster fought over every screen instead of switching so he could stay attached to Pope. The best way to defend a step back three is to prevent the guy from even getting the ball in the first place!
ChillinDuke
Member
Having Maliq back was a sight for sore eyes. He showed some rust but man is he relentless on defense. An absolute pest. When he is in with Foster, we have excellent defense at the point of attack and on the primary back to the basket threat. It allows the rest of the team to really zero in on screening actions and staying with shooters. It simplifies the game for our defense.
Hopefully Dame adds a third head to the defensive dragon.
We're going to be different than last year, but we do seem to have the pieces to be quite good.
As my good buddy Hoss reminded me, great teams cover.
- Chillin
Hopefully Dame adds a third head to the defensive dragon.
We're going to be different than last year, but we do seem to have the pieces to be quite good.
As my good buddy Hoss reminded me, great teams cover.
- Chillin
SkyBrickey
Member
Caleb covered Pope like a blanket in the 2H. Outstanding defense. He did the same thing to Gillespie on TN in the second half.
That's a very physical and well-coached team. Cam and Pat really battled in the 2H. Except for the fouls I thought Pat played good defense all game.
Maliq is still not up to game speed. Could tell his timing was just a bit off. But he still had some big plays.
That was the Dame Sarr I was hoping to see when he committed. He will have some big games for us this year. That corner 3 off the Foster assist was huge.
brevity
Member
Duke 75, Texas 60 (recap, PDF box score, highlights)
The sixth-ranked Duke men's basketball team won its 26th consecutive season opener, defeating Texas 75-60 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Freshman Cameron Boozer posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Isaiah Evans posted a career-high 23 points, highlighted by four first-half three-pointers...
Evans eclipsed 20 points for the first time in his career with four quick points on a pair of free throws and layup to push Duke's lead to 11, 59-48, with 7:41 to play... The Blue Devils slowly increased their advantage as the clock ticked down, punctuated by an Evans' dunk in the final seconds to secure the 75-60 victory.
Duke MBB has already posted the Every Bucket video.
The announcers had postgame interviews with Jon Scheyer and Cameron Boozer. I have not come across any press conferences from either head coach.
Caleb Foster conducted the locker room interview with Isaiah Evans.
The sixth-ranked Duke men's basketball team won its 26th consecutive season opener, defeating Texas 75-60 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Freshman Cameron Boozer posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Isaiah Evans posted a career-high 23 points, highlighted by four first-half three-pointers...
Evans eclipsed 20 points for the first time in his career with four quick points on a pair of free throws and layup to push Duke's lead to 11, 59-48, with 7:41 to play... The Blue Devils slowly increased their advantage as the clock ticked down, punctuated by an Evans' dunk in the final seconds to secure the 75-60 victory.
Duke MBB has already posted the Every Bucket video.
The announcers had postgame interviews with Jon Scheyer and Cameron Boozer. I have not come across any press conferences from either head coach.
Caleb Foster conducted the locker room interview with Isaiah Evans.
DonerKebab
Member
This was a very weirdly officiated game. Called a bunch of touch fouls against us and didn't call some insanely obvious fouls. Despite that, despite fouling out our two players, despite our silly mistakes like missing the dunk or stepping into the lane, we won by 15. I'll take it!
AlaskanAssassin
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BrummieDevil
Member
To be fair, Dame bricked a two-handed, breakaway dunk and then had a nice drive end with the ball rolling around the entire rim before falling off during the same stretch, so it was a wash.
Speaking of Dame, I'm so excited about his development this year. He is fast as hell and his upside with just a bit of fine-tuning is so high. I really like his game and the way he plays.
