Duke, Michigan Reportedly Finalizing Neutral-Site Game on 2025-26 CBB Schedule
Julia Stumbaugh
Apr 23, 2025
The Duke and Michigan men's basketball teams are reportedly "finalizing" a plan to play a neutral-site game at Washington, D.C.'s Capital One Arena in February 2026, Jon Rothstein reported for College Hoops Today.
CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reported that Duke and Michigan have been planning the neutral-site game "for months," and that the game is expected to take place on either Saturday, Feb. 21 or Sunday, Feb. 22, depending on the venue's schedule.
Capital One Arena is the home venue of the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards and Georgetown men's basketball. The arena is set to host men's basketball NCAA tournament games in the spring of 2026.
Ad Placeholder
The programs have yet to settle on a broadcasting partner for the game, according to Norlander.
This will mark the second straight season during which the Blue Devils have played a non-conference opponent at a neutral site in the spring. Duke defeated Illinois at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 22. That game was announced as a sellout with 19,812 people in attendance.
Ad Placeholder
Prior to the game in New York City, Norlander reported that Duke head coach Jon Scheyer "has been consistent about trying to schedule notable nonconference matchups for Duke in a way that can further bolster Duke's preparation for the NCAA tournament."
"Duke has been hunting for a notable program to play a big-time game after the football season when more eyeballs would be looking to watch college hoops," Norlander wrote.
Following last season's coordination with Illinois coach Brad Underwood, it seems Scheyer has found another partner in Michigan head coach Dusty May.
Ad Placeholder
The Blue Devils hold a 10-1 all-time record over Michigan in 11 matchups between 1998 and 2013. The Wolverines' lone win came in December 2008.
Duke and Michigan have played three neutral-site games in the past, although not in the last 14 years. Most notably, the programs clashed in Charlotte during the third round of the 2011 men's basketball NCAA tournament, when Duke narrowly eliminated Michigan with a 73-71 win before going on to lose in the semifinal.
If Duke and Michigan are both ranked at the time of the game, another well-attended matchup next February could help late non-conference games become more popular across the sport.
Duke's Jon Scheyer Says He's 'Heartbroken' in Emotional Video After Final Four Loss
Doric Sam
Apr 8, 2025
After falling short against Houston in the Final Four this past weekend, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer is still feeling a wave of emotion.
Scheyer addressed Duke fans after arriving back to campus and admitted that he's still "heartbroken" over how the season ended in a video posted to social media Tuesday:
“I’m heartbroken for the guys… this was our first loss fully healthy since November”
The Blue Devils led by 14 points with eight minutes left in the game before the Cougars made an epic comeback to earn a 70-67 win. Houston ultimately lost to Florida 65-63 in Monday's national championship game.
In what was likely his final college game, Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg had a game-high 27 points while adding seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks. He's projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and he leaves behind a Blue Devils team that finished with a 35-4 record and won an ACC championship. It was the program's first appearance in the Final Four since 2022, the team's final year under legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski before Scheyer succeeded him.
Ad Placeholder
"This is our first time losing with our full team since November, and it's a s---ty feeling, it's a feeling that we got used to not thinking about," Scheyer said.
Despite the loss, Duke is expected to be in the national title conversation once again next season. DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Blue Devils as the favorites to cut down the nets next season at +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000).
Ad Placeholder
Replacing Flagg is no small task, but Duke's 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 1 by 247Sports. 5-star prospects Cameron Boozer and Shelton Henderson lead a talented crop of newcomers as Scheyer tries to lead the Blue Devils back to the mountaintop.
Duke Reportedly Has $8M-$10M in NIL Available to Build MCBB Roster for 2025-26 Season
Zach Bachar
Apr 6, 2025
Duke reportedly has a hefty amount of NIL money available to spend on its 2025-26 roster.
According to Pete Nakos of On3.com, a "range of sources" said the Blue Devils have "roughly $8 to $10 million" available for their roster next season and are considered to be one of the most well-funded programs in college basketball.
One source told Nakos that Duke's NIL war chest is “unlimited.”
Head coach Jon Scheyer's team will be looking to build upon its 2024-25 campaign, which ended in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament on Saturday.
While standout forward Cooper Flagg could hear his name called with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Duke's incoming freshman class is one of the best in the country.
Ad Placeholder
The Blue Devils' 2025 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the nation, per 247Sports. Their list of recruits includes standouts such as Cameron Boozer, Cayden Boozer and Shelton Henderson.
Twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer, sons of Carlos Boozer, have officially committed to Duke 🔥
Flagg's NIL valuation of $4.8 million is the highest among all college basketball players, via On3.
Now, Duke will focus on helping its incoming freshman class ramp up for the 2025-26 season while looking for additions in the transfer portal.
Ad Placeholder
The Blue Devils' primary basketball NIL collective is the One Vision Futures Fund (h/t Nakos). It was started by Jeff Fox, the CEO and founder of the investment firm Circumference Group, Dan Levitan, co-founder of the venture capital firm Maveron, and former Goldman Sachs partner Steve Duncker. All three are Duke alumni.
Their goal is to give Scheyer the resources he needs "to compete, to support his vision and never be a distraction" from winning a national title, per Andrew Beaton of The Wall Street Journal.
As Duke prepares to defend its ACC tournament title and go on a deeper March Madness run, it appears to be headed towards a busy offseason.
Duke's Cooper Flagg Wins 2025 Wooden Award over Johni Broome, Walter Clayton Jr., More
Zach Bachar
Apr 5, 2025
Duke forward Cooper Flagg won the 2025 Wooden Award, which is presented annually to the best college basketball player in the country.
Flagg earned the honor over four other finalists, including Auburn forward Johni Broome, Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr., Alabama guard Mark Sears and Purdue guard Braden Smith.
The 18-year-old joined Kevin Durant, Zion Williamson and Anthony Davis as the only freshmen to ever win the award.
Cooper Flagg joins elite company as the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Award behind Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and Zion Williamson 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TnkMbjHCSw
Williamson was the last freshman to win the Wooden Award in 2019.
Flagg entered his first season at Duke with lofty expectations, as he was listed as the No. 1 prospect in the country as part of the 2024 recruiting class (via 247Sports' composite rankings).
Ad Placeholder
His freshman year with the Blue Devils has been impressive, averaging 18.9 points and 7.5 rebounds to go along with 4.2 assists per game. Flagg has shown promise as a three-level scorer, shooting 48.3 percent from the field and connecting on 37.4 percent of his three-point attempts.
He's also made his presence felt on defense, recording 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
Flagg previously earned ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors, helping lead Duke to a 35-3 record as well as an appearance in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament.
Ad Placeholder
He's stepped up throughout the Blue Devils' March Madness run, averaging 19.5 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 42.9 percent from behind the arc in four tournament games.
Flagg shouldn't have to wait long to hear his name called in the 2025 NBA draft, as he was projected to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman.
For now, Flagg will focus on attempting to take down Houston in the Final Four on Saturday after winning the Wooden Award.
Carmelo Anthony Hypes 'Special' Cooper Flagg, Says Duke Star Has 'Different' Energy
Zach Bachar
Apr 3, 2025
Former NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony has been impressed with Cooper Flagg's freshman season at Duke.
“I enjoy watching him [Cooper Flagg] play, you know what I mean? Because he just impacts the game at a totally high level," Anthony said on 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony, a Wave Original (13:18 mark). "He don't have to score, but he can score if he want…He's impressive. He's very impressive to watch as a player but also a player at that age. You don't see that. You don't see–and when you watch him, you see the bounce, you see the pop that he have, you see the quick twitches…that takes a different type of motor and energy to do. He's special man.”
Ad Placeholder
Flagg has served as the leading scorer on a Blue Devils team that won the ACC regular-season title as well as the ACC tournament. Duke sat at No. 1 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll and is currently set to face off against Houston in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
The 18-year-old has showcased his all-around game throughout the year, averaging 18.9 points and 7.5 rebounds to go along with 4.2 assists per game on 48.3/37.4/83.4 shooting splits.
Flagg is also recording 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks on a nightly basis.
Anthony has some experience with stellar freshman seasons in college. Prior to his NBA career, in which he made 10 All-Star appearances, he won a national championship while averaging 22.2 points per game during his lone year at Syracuse.
Flagg's scoring average is the third-highest by a freshman on a Final Four team in March Madness history, only trailing Anthony as well as former NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson in 1990 (h/t CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles).
Flagg will attempt to help the Blue Devils punch their ticket to the national championship game on Saturday, with tip-off against Houston at 8:50 p.m. ET.
Duke Cruises to Final Four as Clear Title Favorite Even in All-Chalk Tournament
Kerry Miller
Mar 29, 2025
Duke's Cooper Flagg
In what was supposed to be a high-scoring, back-and-forth showdown that rivaled a certain unforgettable game played in Philadelphia in 1992 for all-time Elite Eight greatness, the mighty No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils put the No. 2 seed Alabama Crimson Tide in a meat locker for 40 minutes for an 85-65 victory.
Great offense. Better defense. Alley-oops and shots altered by Khaman Maluach. Kon Knueppel balling out while Mark Sears spun out. Cooper Flagg kind of quietly finishing with 16, nine and three. Duke did it all, making one of the six or seven best teams in the country look completely helpless.
Alabama kept it relatively close until the final five minutes, but the outcome was never really in doubt, Duke's defense was just a completely different animal from the complete lack of resistance that BYU offered the Crimson Tide on Thursday.
Now the Blue Devils are off to San Antonio, for what's starting to feel like a "Championship or Bust" sort of story of historical dominance.
Throughout this 2025 men's NCAA tournament, the inescapable narrative has been the complete and utter superiority of the favorites.
Completely ignoring/forgetting the fact that we had a 4-5-5-9 Final Four seeding situation just two years ago, or that a Steph Curry-led Davidson was the only team seeded lower than a No. 3 to reach the Elite Eight in 2007, 2008 or 2009, everyone has been using this chalk-a-palooza as a means of pushing their "NIL is ruining college basketball" agenda.
The first round was one of the most upset-devoid since seeding became a thing in 1979. (Even No. 12 Colorado State knocking off No. 5 Memphis wasn't really an upset; nor was 30-win Drake winning as a disrespected-by-the-selection-committee No. 11 seed.)
By the end of the first weekend, there wasn't a single Cinderella story left to be told.
The better-seeded team won each and every Sweet 16 game.
Now halfway through the Elite Eight, it's No. 1 seed Florida and No. 1 seed Duke into the Final Four, with No. 1 seed Houston and No. 1 seed Auburn hoping to join them on Sunday for what would be just the second "All-Ones" Final Four in tournament history. (It also happened in 2008.)
Kon Knueppel
And, friends, these aren't your standard No. 1 seeds.
As far as KenPom is concerned, the worst No. 1 seed of the bunch right now is Auburn with an adjusted efficiency margin of +35.27. But were it not for the other three teams ahead of them right now, that would be the sixth-best rating in KenPom history, which now spans 29 years.
Here's that current leaderboard for you:
1999 Duke Blue Devils (43.01)
2025 Duke Blue Devils (39.63)
2001 Duke Blue Devils (37.32)
2015 Kentucky Wildcats (36.91)
2021 Gonzaga Bulldogs (36.48)
2024 Connecticut Huskies (36.43)
2025 Florida Gators (36.22)
2025 Houston Cougars (35.43)
2025 Auburn Tigers (35.27)
It's a preposterous cream of the crop, and it very well could be the best Final Four of all-time if those top-seeded felines take care of business on Sunday.
With all due respect to Florida, Houston and Auburn, though, Duke is the overwhelming favorite to cut down the nets in San Antonio.
The betting lines don't adequately reflect that. Even after smoking Alabama, DraftKings only has Duke at +105 to win it all, suggesting it is slightly more likely the Blue Devils will lose one more game than win the next two.
If they don't finish the fight at this point, though, it truly would be shocking.
Their offense is historically efficient, with a 130.1 O-Rating on KenPom that ranks best in the site's history. And though they are merely fourth this season in D-Rating, they just held Alabama's 91+ PPG offense to 65 bleeping points.
Those year-to-date numbers don't even do justice to what this team has become, either.
Khaman Maluach
With five freshmen now playing key roles in this rotation, go back and watch some of those early games against Kansas, Kentucky and Arizona—even the win over Auburn—and they're almost unrecognizable.
Cooper Flagg was undeniably great upon arrival in Durham, but has also undeniably grown by leaps and bounds over the past four months, to the point where it feels like he is destined to become an NBA MVP at some point in the not too distant future.
Kon Knueppel was a ghost in that December win over Auburn; a detriment in the losses to Kentucky and Kansas at a combined 1-for-16 from three-point range. He's now a force on both ends of the floor, his quest for the fabled 50-40-90 season overshadowed by Flagg's stardom. Knueppel scored 41 this weekend in Newark.
Khaman Maluach was almost unplayable early in the year, a far cry from the weapon he has become. In the back-to-back wins over Auburn and Louisville in early December, he went for a combined four points and five rebounds with no blocks. Conversely, he had 27 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks against Arizona and Alabama this week.
And while neither Patrick Ngongba nor Isaiah Evans was much of a factor in the Elite Eight victory over the Crimson Tide, they've both become major contributors over the past two months. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who would be surprised if either one played a huge role off the bench in the title game, a la Grayson Allen vs. Wisconsin as a freshman one decade ago.
Those are just the freshmen, too. The elder statesmen have also improved.
Jon Scheyer
Junior lead guard Tyrese Proctor has been red hot since the ACC tournament championship game. Sion James has been the unsung hero of this team all season long. Even Caleb Foster has had some big stretches off the bench at the end of what had been a frustrating sophomore season for him.
Got to also believe that Maliq Brown—with another full week to rest and rehab that injured shoulder before they play again—will be out there in a bigger capacity on the defensive end of the floor in the Final Four.
It shouldn't be possible for a team that has won 31 of its last 32 games to just now be hitting its peak, but everything does seem to be coming up Blue Devils in advance of what will be their first Final Four of the Jon Scheyer era.
Scheyer's coaching career is just beginning, though.
For Flagg's lasting legacy in (what we simply must presume is) his only year in the college ranks, this is now further than Zion Williamson made it six years ago. Assuming he is named the Wooden Award winner, it'll just be Flagg and Kentucky's Anthony Davis in 2012 on the list of freshmen to both win that award and play in a Final Four.
Chances are, he'll also win the national championship and be named Most Outstanding Player en route to becoming the No. 1 pick like AD 13 years ago.
Cameron, Cayden Boozer Reaffirm Duke Commitments amid Rumors of Potential Flip
Zach Bachar
Mar 29, 2025
Top college basketball recruits Cameron and Cayden Boozer still intend to suit up for Duke.
The twin brothers reaffirmed their commitment to the Blue Devils when speaking with 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein on Saturday.
BREAKING: Cameron and Cayden Boozer reaffirm their commitments to Duke amid flip speculation, per 247Sports' @AdamFinkelstein 🚨
Cameron Boozer is the No. 3 overall player and Cayden Boozer is the No. 24 overall player in the 2025 class. pic.twitter.com/eL6e7g1g9o
Sports Illustrated'sPat Forde brought up the possibility of Cameron and Cayden being lured to Miami after the Hurricanes hired former Duke associate head coach Jai Lucas as their new head coach on March 5.
The Hurricanes were also reportedly a finalist for the brothers before they eventually committed to the Blue Devils in Oct. 2024.
They'll be following in the footsteps of their father, two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer. He spent three seasons at Duke from 1999 through 2002, winning a national championship in 2001.
Ad Placeholder
Cameron was listed as the No. 1 power forward and No. 2 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class (via 247Sports' composite rankings).
He previously explained why he chose to join the Blue Devils, referencing their track record of producing NBA talent.
"I think just the blueprint that they've had is what I envision myself becoming," Cameron said, according to Ryan Haley of Duke Wire. "So that was a big part of me coming here."
Ad Placeholder
As for Cayden, he was ranked as the No. 4 point guard and No. 22 overall player in the 2025 class, per 247Sports. The 17-year-old was also excited to play under the bright lights of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
"It is the biggest stage," Cayden said, via Haley. "Every game is on national [television], you're playing the best teams in the country."
The twins haven't slowed down since their decision to commit to Duke, leading Christopher Columbus High School to their fourth straight Florida Class 7A state championship with a blowout win over Windermere on March 8.
Ad Placeholder
Cameron finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the contest (h/t SI.com's Andy Villamarzo). Cayden also made his presence felt by racking up 12 points, six assists and five rebounds.
As the brothers prepare to enter their first year with the Blue Devils, they aren't attempting to flip their commitment.
Kevin Love Says 'Unicorns' Like Cooper Flagg Elevate Basketball to 'Amazing Place'
Paul Kasabian
Mar 27, 2025
Miami Heat forward Kevin Love told ESPN's Myron Medcalf that taller players who can do everything on the floor (a la Duke's Cooper Flagg and incoming Duke recruit Cam Boozer) are taking basketball "to a really amazing place."
"Now, you're getting these guys that are 6-8 plus, 6-10, 7 feet tall, that are just really doing everything out there on the floor," Love said to Medcalf on Wednesday.
"And I think it's just incredibly hard to guard and it's taking the game to a really amazing place as well, because you're seeing these guys that are unicorns out there, guys that are really doing everything and refining their skills, whereas in the past they might not have worked on these things.
Ad Placeholder
"The growth within the game, it's really amazing to see where it has gone, especially in the skill and player development at an even earlier age."
As Medcalf noted, Love referred to Flagg and Boozer as examples to back his point.
Flagg has simply been tremendous for the No. 1 seed Blue Devils, who are set to play Arizona in the Sweet Sixteen on Thursday.
The 6'9" Flagg is a true point forward who can do everything on the court, and he's averaging 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He's the clear frontrunner to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft should be declare.
Boozer could very be the top choice in the 2026 NBA draft. He's an exceptional prospect, another 6'9" forward with a great all-around skillset. Per 247Sports, Boozer is ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in the Composite rankings for the class of 2026.
Ultimately, the game is certainly going in an exciting direction with taller players being able to do so much on the court. Flagg is at the forefront at that movement right now, and he'll continue to showcase his talents when Duke plays Arizona Thursday.
Duke Commit Cam Boozer Named Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year
Joseph Zucker
Mar 26, 2025
Five-star forward Cam Boozer was named the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year for the second time on Wednesday.
Boozer, the 2022-23 recipient as a sophomore, averaged 22.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks this season for Christopher Columbus High School in Miami.
Columbus, meanwhile, celebrated its fourth straight state title. It has already honored both Cam and Cayden Boozer by retiring their jerseys.
Cameron & Cayden Boozer had their HS jerseys retired before they even graduated! 🚨🤩
Cam is the No. 2 overall recruit in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2025 class. He and Cayden are following in their father's footsteps and signed with Duke. Carlos Boozer spent three years with the Blue Devils and played a key role on their 2000-01 national championship squad.
Ad Placeholder
In addition to his impressive high school record, Cam has represented the United States at the youth level. He collected gold medals in the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup and the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.
In his scouting report, 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein called the 6'9" power forward the "surest thing in high school basketball."
Ad Placeholder
"No one can match his resume of winning or is better suited to help impact winning from day one as a college freshman," Finkelstein said. "He has an extremely versatile and mature two-way floor game. It's just hard to envision a scenario where he's not a successful basketball player at the highest levels for years to come, which is why he is often credited for having the highest long-term floor in the country."
First as an assistant under Mike Krzyzewski and then after succeeding the legendary coach, Duke's Jon Scheyer has been an elite recruiter. Along with the Boozer brothers, the Blue Devils' 2025 class includes two other 5-star standouts, power forward Nikolas Khamenia and small forward Shelton Henderson.
Cam Boozer is bound to shoulder the highest expectations. If the last few years are any indication, he won't have any trouble carrying that burden.
Jayson Tatum Recalls 1st Impression of Duke's Cooper Flagg: 'Plays the Right Way'
Adam Wells
Mar 26, 2025
Duke superstar Cooper Flagg made a strong impression on Jayson Tatum the first time he got to see him play in person.
Appearing on the New Heightspodcast (starts at 37:42 mark), Tatum said his first impression of Flagg was that he "plays the right way" by competing hard and wanting to take on the toughest defensive assignments.
Tatum, who played at Duke in 2016-17 before going to the NBA, said the first time he watched Flagg in person was two years ago at the JT Elite Camp hosted by the Boston Celtics superstar.
Of course, Flagg got the opportunity to share the court against Tatum last summer when Team USA held scrimmages with the USA Select Team.
Ad Placeholder
Playing against a U.S. roster that had Tatum, Stephen Curry and LeBron James, Flagg stole the show with at least one active NBA head coach saying he was the best player on the floor.
The hype for Flagg, who was already ranked as the No. 1 college recruit in the country at that point, reached new levels after that. He has more than lived up to it with the Blue Devils thus far.
A finalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year award, Flagg is averaging 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in 34 starts. He can add to his already-impressive resume when the NCAA tournament resumes on Thursday with Duke taking on Arizona in the Sweet 16.
