 Photo by Lance King Duke basketball returned from its exam break to take on George Mason, just a week after their victory over Incarnate Word. This matchup featured two of the nation's top five field-goal percentage defenses, setting the stage for a defensive battle.
As expected, both teams struggled offensively in the first half. Duke held a 25-16 lead at the break, but George Mason limited them to just 27% shooting. At times, the slow pace resembled a classic Virginia game, drawing a chuckle-worthy comparison. The second half, however, belonged to Duke and their star freshman, Cooper Flagg. Flagg exploded for 17 of his 24 points after halftime, finishing with an impressive stat line of 24 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. “That was a great team,” Flagg said postgame. “Extremely physical, scrappy. They played really composed and with a lot of poise. It’s a team that, if you’re not careful and you don’t come out with the right mindset, they can really jump on you. I thought we came out with a great mindset, a very defensive-based mindset, and I thought we did a great job.” Duke’s defense stood tall once again, holding George Mason to under 50 points—the second straight game they've accomplished this feat, a first for the program since November 2022. While the offense is still finding its rhythm, the Blue Devils are showing signs of improvement as ACC play begins, with plenty of time to sharpen their form before March Madness. Head coach Jon Scheyer praised his team’s effort and the challenge George Mason presented. “I thought it was a really good win for us,” Scheyer said. “I have a ton of respect for Tony Skinn, George Mason, and their team. Coming in, they were 7-3. They lost two games that they either should have won or could have won. They’re experienced, incredibly well-coached, and disciplined. We knew how tough they were on defense. And for us, having a week off, we've obviously worked on a lot. I thought we had good carryover. I think there’s obviously a lot we can do better. Khaman impacts the game in so many ways. Protecting the rim, had eight rebounds, guarding two really good big men. And I thought Sion had such an impact on winning. He had a +31. Cooper was a warrior out there. I think that comes with his competitive spirit and being in attack mode. We need him that way. We have to help him be that way all the time." Duke's 68-47 victory not only surpassed the -19.5 spread but also marked the conclusion of their non-conference schedule for the time being. Their next non-ACC matchup is slated for February 22nd against Illinois at Madison Square Garden. With a challenging out-of-conference slate that included showdowns against Kentucky, Arizona, Kansas, and Auburn, the Blue Devils have positioned themselves well for what looks to potentially be an unpredictable ACC season. Up next, Duke hits the road to face Georgia Tech in Atlanta this Saturday.
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 The conference championship games wrapped up last night, and now we have the final Duke Football bowl projections from Brian Kennedy of Duke Football Talk and Freddie from Duke Report. Read on to discover where we predict Duke will land this bowl season! Brian Kennedy of Duke Football Talk Duke fans, we have made it! We are at selection Sunday, and boy what a journey it has been. First things first, what a way for the ACC to cap off its season with the ending between Clemson and SMU last night. I must admit, I did not watch the entire game through as I thought Clemson had the game in the bag. I should have known better as we have seen this entire season, "Coastal Chaos" continues to run wild in the ACC. Even with the loss, I still see SMU finding a way to get one of the final At-Large bids for the CFP. They made it to the conference title game, and only have 2 losses on the year. If that happens, things should fall in place relatively easy. On the flip side, if the committee stays in love with the SEC, and SMU is out, that is where things could be shaken up. SMU being booted would mean another team in the ACC Bowl pool. SMU is a team all bowls would like to try and have, so my hope is the committee does the right thing and keeps SMU in. So where do things land for Duke now that Clemson has won the ACC and SMU is on the bubble? As crazy as it may sound, I think regardless of the outcome of the CFP being released at noon, there is only 1 spot for Duke. Remember when I wrote about speaking with bowl reps of various bowls throughout the season? There was one group of bowl reps who had nothing but great things to say about Duke. They even vocalized how they were wanting Duke at their bowl and were going to do everything they could to make it happen. I think those reps today are going to be the biggest cheerleaders for Duke when Selection Sunday starts later today. Of course I am talking about the GATOR BOWL. This is one of the few prestigious bowl games Duke has never been to. I think it is time, especially with Duke's record and storylines they would bring to Jacksonville. Don't get me wrong fans, the Duke's Mayo Bowl would be great too, but with everything I am seeing, it is looking like sunny Jacksonville, Florida on Janury 2nd is where Duke will be. Thank you everyone for taking time this season to read mine and Freddie's thoughts through the 2024 season. We are already looking forward to starting things back up in 2025!  Freddie Hodges of Duke Report Duke fans, the moment we’ve been waiting for is almost here! In just a few hours, the bowl selection process will unfold, and we’ll finally know where Duke is heading this bowl season. What an incredible season it has been for Duke Football! From reclaiming the Victory Bell to winning the state championship by defeating North Carolina, NC State, and Wake Forest, the Blue Devils have capped it all off with an impressive 9-3 record. And, of course, it wouldn’t be the ACC without a little “Coastal Chaos”—or should we say “ACC Chaos”—to top things off. Last night’s ACC Championship game delivered a thrilling finish. I dozed off in my recliner with Clemson in full control, only to wake up just in time to see SMU mount a stunning comeback. But in the end, Clemson clinched the title with a walk-off field goal. What a game! It’s clear that the spirit of "Coastal Chaos" is alive and well in the ACC. I’m with Brian on this one: even with SMU’s loss, I still see them securing a spot in the CFP and bumping Alabama out of the final playoff position. After a game like that, coming down to the wire, SMU has earned their place over a brand-name team like Alabama, who sat at home during conference championship weekend. Regardless of whether SMU or Alabama gets the final spot, I don’t think it changes where Duke is headed for bowl season. So, what’s the bowl game? Brian and I agree once again: I’ve got Duke heading to sunny Jacksonville to play in the Gator Bowl on January 2nd. Gator Bowl representatives have attended Duke games this season, and with an impressive 9-3 record, the Blue Devils deserve to be playing in a top-tier bowl. The Duke’s Mayo Bowl was my backup pick and would also be a great destination. However, everything I’ve seen leads me to believe that Duke will land in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl to face off against an SEC opponent. Thank you all for taking the time this season to follow Blue Devils Blog and read our bowl projections! If you’re not already, be sure to check out the Section 17 Podcast. Brian and the crew do an incredible job covering everything Duke Football—you won’t want to miss it!
Now, Duke fans, the waiting game begins. In just a few hours, we’ll find out where the Blue Devils are heading for bowl season. As for Brian and me, we’re already looking ahead to the 2025 season. Who knows—maybe we’ll even put together a way-too-early bowl projection in the spring. Or maybe we won’t... you’ll just have to stay tuned! 😉  Morning views over T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas the day of the Duke vs Kansas game In the world of college basketball, greatness is forged through relentless challenges, and Duke’s early-season schedule has been a prime example of that. As December begins, the Blue Devils have already been tested against some of the nation’s toughest opponents—and the challenges keep coming.
Over just 22 days, Duke will have faced a grueling stretch of games, taking on three current top-five teams in the AP Poll: No. 4 Kentucky, No. 1 Kansas, and tomorrow night, No. 2 Auburn. These aren’t just headline-grabbing matchups—they’re critical opportunities for growth and a chance to prove their mettle against elite competition. Tomorrow night, the tests continue as Duke hosts No. 2 Auburn at 9:15 PM in Cameron Indoor Stadium for the ACC/SEC Challenge. The clash pits two top 10 teams of college basketball against each other in what promises to be an electric atmosphere in Cameron Indoor Stadium. By the time this game concludes, Duke will have faced elite opponents across home, away, and neutral venues—well before the grind of ACC play begins next Sunday, December 8, against Louisville. Adding intrigue to tomorrow’s matchup is the battle of strengths. According to KenPom’s adjusted national ratings, Duke boasts the No. 1 defense in the country. Auburn, on the other hand, enters the contest with the nation’s top-ranked offense. When the irresistible force meets the immovable object, something has to give. While the stakes for this showdown are undeniably high, maintaining perspective is key. For fans, players, and coaches alike, the ultimate goal is clear: to be prepared for a deep run in March. Whether Duke secures a signature win against Auburn to bolster its resume or endures a hard-fought third loss on this grueling early schedule, these games transcend the scoreboard. They’re about growth, resilience, and laying the groundwork to excel when it matters most—during the madness of March. Tomorrow night’s clash in Cameron Indoor Stadium has all the ingredients of a classic. For the Blue Devils, it’s another chapter in a season defined by grit, perseverance, and preparation. The ultimate objective? To be ready for the brightest stage when everything is on the line. After a brief hiatus in Week 14—thanks to Brian and me heading to Las Vegas to catch Duke Basketball (and me picking the wrong flight back)—we’re back with our Week 15 bowl projections. My bad for the missed week, but let’s dive into what has been an absolutely thrilling Duke Football season. Brian Kennedy of Duke Football Talk Duke fans, I am at a loss for words as I write this. NO, not because of how Duke walked off against Wake Forest with no time left in regulation, but with all that transpired in the ACC. First things first, how about Duke finishing the season 9-3. No one in the media, except the Duke Football Talk crew and Freddie, gave this team a shot to win more that 4 games. Now Duke is playing the waiting game alongside all Duke fans as bowl games will come out on December 8th. When I was watching the games this past Saturday afternoon, I thought my bowl projections were looking stout. I had a good idea of where I thought Duke was going to be playing.....then the Miami and Syracuse game happened. Kudos to the Orange, they did a great job in showing America they are the real deal. The only down side is Miami is out of the ACC title game, which muddies the waters. SMU and Clemson will vie for the ACC title, and the outcome of the game could very well sway the outcome of bowls. A reminder Duke fans, Miami had 0 wins against ranked opponents this year. (You read that right) With what I am reading from various sports writers, the committee looks at these things when seeding for the playoffs. Honestly, if SMU wins the title, I could Miami getting in the back door and in the playoffs. On the flip side, if Clemson were to silence their critics and defeat SMU, there could be a realistic chance the ACC only gets 1 team in. (Duke doesn't want that) So with all that being said, Freddie and I are going to call an audible as we head into selction weekend. We are giving our predictions of where we think Duke will go if SMU wins, and if Clemson wins. First, if SMU wins. This is the outcome that Duke fans want, as I stated earlier, Miami could still get in the playoff. If SMU does in fact win, I still have Duke in Florida playing in the Gator Bowl. This is going off SMU and Miami getting in, Clemson going to the Pop-Tarts, and Louisville heading west to the Holiday Bowl. On the flip side, if Clemson were to win, and the scenario played out where only 1 ACC school made the playoffs, I see Duke in Charlotte for the Duke's Mayo Bowl. It's simple, with SMU and Miami out of the playoff, they would take one of the top tier ACC Bowl games, which would bump the Devils down. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but part of me wants to head to Florida. And don't worry Duke fans, Freddie and I are going to make sure we put out our final bowl projections, once all the conference title games are played. As a famous theologian once said, "The only thing that is for sure, is that nothing is for sure." Until later this week Duke fans! Freddie Hodges of Duke Report First off, what an exciting regular season for Duke Football. Back in my preseason predictions, I had Duke finishing 7-5 and heading to the Gasparilla Bowl. Fast forward to now, and the Blue Devils sit at 9-3, with a legitimate shot at a top-tier bowl game. This season has been nothing short of remarkable, and as I reflect, there’s a lot to be thankful for. Duke brought the Victory Bell back to Durham for the first time in years, and also claiming the title of state champs after beating North Carolina, NC State, and most recently, Wake Forest. Even in the three losses this season, Duke was competitive and just a few plays away from potentially finishing with double-digit wins. Credit to Brian, the crew at Duke Football Talk, and me (humble brag) for believing this team could deliver a winning season. For the record, that’s two years in a row I’ve taken the Over on Duke’s win total and watched FanDuel pay me out. Now, let’s talk bowl projections. As Brian mentioned, we’re calling an audible this week and offering two possible scenarios. With the ACC Championship game on Saturday, things will become clearer, but for now, let’s embrace the chaos. Speaking of chaos, this past weekend delivered peak "ACC Chaos." Georgia Tech took Georgia to an unheard-of eight overtimes before falling short. Louisville demolished Kentucky to cap an impressive season, and Syracuse stunned Miami in a game no one saw coming. Looking ahead, the ACC still has three teams in the mix for the College Football Playoff: Miami, SMU, and Clemson. The question remains: Will the ACC get one or two teams into the playoff? Currently, SMU is a 2.5-point favorite over Clemson in the ACC Championship. If SMU wins, I agree with Brian—both SMU and Miami should make the playoff, which would send Clemson to the Pop-Tarts Bowl and Duke to the Gator Bowl. If Clemson wins, things get trickier. The ACC could still place two teams in the playoff (Clemson and SMU, even with two losses), but if only one makes it, the domino effect likely lands Duke in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. As Brian and I have said, we’ll release our final bowl projections after all the conference title games are settled. There’s still a lot to unfold, so buckle up and enjoy Championship Weekend! Stay tuned to Blue Devils Blog for our final bowl projections coming this weekend!
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