Duke Basketball's Gauntlet: A Thrilling Non-Conference Schedule Awaits"

Duke basketball fans, get ready—because the Blue Devils just dropped their non-conference schedule last Thursday, and it’s packed with exciting games to look forward to.   From the very start, Duke isn’t holding back, taking on some tough competition before diving into ACC play. It’s clear they’re coming out swinging, ready to make every game count.

Below is list of non-conference games including Countdown to Craziness.

October 4th - Countdown To Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina 
November 4th - vs Maine at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina 
November 8th - vs Army at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham North Carolina  
November 12th - vs Kentucky - Champions Classic at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia  
November 16th - vs Wofford at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina 
November 22nd - vs Arizona at McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, Arizona 
November 26th - vs Kansas at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
November 29th - vs Seattle at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina 
December 4th - vs Auburn - ACC/SEC Challenge at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina 
December 10th - vs Incarnate Word at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina 
December 17th - vs George Mason at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina 
February 22nd - vs Illinois at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York 


Quick Thoughts

Duke basketball is gearing up for a thrilling season, and it all starts with a non-conference schedule that’s nothing short of intense.  The Blue Devils have two home games (excluding preseason) (vs Maine and vs Army) to get warmed up before they hit the road for a showdown with another blue-blooded powerhouse—Kentucky—in the Champions Classic.  With Duke holding a 3-1 record against Kentucky in this iconic event, you can bet the Wildcats will be out for revenge.  This one has all the makings of a top-25 clash.

Next up, Duke will face Wofford at home before heading out to Arizona.  Last season, Caleb Love and company stunned Duke with a win at Cameron Indoor Stadium, so you know Blue Devil fans are itching to return the favor by handing Love a loss in his fifth and final college season.  This game is shaping up to be a top-10, if not top-25, matchup, and it’s sure to bring the heat.

Just four days later, Duke is back on the road for another marquee game, this time against Kansas in the 2024 Vegas Showdown at T-Mobile Arena.  This neutral court battle in Las Vegas could very well be a top-5 matchup, and if it’s anything like Duke’s thrilling win over Gonzaga in Vegas back in 2021, fans are in for a treat.  Expect the Blue Devil faithful to show up in force, ready to paint Sin City blue.

Duke will wrap up November with a home game against Seattle, and by that point, there’s a real possibility the Blue Devils will have already played three top-25 matchups.  But the action doesn’t stop there—December kicks off with a bang as Duke takes on Auburn at Cameron Indoor Stadium as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge.   With Bruce Pearl pacing the sidelines and the Cameron Crazies bringing their A game, this contest has top-10 potential written all over it.

Duke might just open up ACC play that first Saturday of December, meaning the Blue Devils could potentially have faced four top-25 opponents before even starting their conference schedule.  The non-conference slate continues with home games against Incarnate Word on December 10th and George Mason on December 17th.  But there’s one more surprise—a mid season non-conference game against Illinois at Cameron North... I mean Madison Square Garden on February 22nd.  This game is a perfect way to shake things up in the middle of ACC play, offering a neutral court test against a possible NCAA Tourney team just weeks before the NCAA Tournament kicks off.

Duke’s non-conference schedule is packed with potential top-25 matchups, both at home, on the road and neutral court that will undoubtedly have the Blue Devils battle-tested and ready for the ACC grind as well as March Madness.  

Keep it locked here at Blue Devils Blog, where we’ll be breaking down the Top 10 Games of the Duke Basketball Season once the full ACC schedule drops.  You won’t want to miss it.