Duke basketball is officially back among the best in the nation—if it ever left. Under the leadership of head coach Jon Scheyer, the Blue Devils capped off an incredible 2024-25 season by securing their 18th Final Four appearance, tying them for the second-most in NCAA history.
In only his third year as head coach, Scheyer has guided Duke basketball to elite status once again, proving that the post-Coach K era is not only alive but thriving.
A Record-Breaking Season for Duke Basketball
The Blue Devils finished the season with a 35-4 record, marking one of the most dominant runs in program history. It’s only the sixth time a Duke team has won at least 35 games in a single season, and the first time in over a decade. That feat alone puts this team in elite company within the program’s storied legacy.
Duke basketball didn’t just win games—they dominated. The team went 19-1 in ACC play to clinch the regular-season title and followed that with an ACC Tournament championship, making it their 21st regular-season and 23rd tournament title overall. Scheyer also made history, becoming the first coach in ACC history to win two conference tournament titles within his first three seasons.
Top Rankings and Historic Performances
Throughout the 2024-25 season, Duke basketball was a fixture in the AP Top 25. They held the No. 1 spot for two weeks and finished the season ranked No. 3 overall. This marks Duke’s 41st top-10 finish, a testament to the consistent excellence the program has maintained over decades.
The Blue Devils closed the season by winning 31 of their last 33 games, including a pair of long win streaks—16 and 15 games, respectively. Their NCAA Tournament performance was equally impressive, averaging 86.8 points per game, the second-best mark in Duke tournament history behind only the 2001 national title team.
Dominance on Both Ends of the Floor
Scheyer’s squad didn’t just win—they were dominant statistically. Duke basketball led the country in scoring margin (+20.5), which is the third-best in school history. They became the first team in ACC history to lead the league in both scoring offense (83.2 points per game) and scoring defense (62.8 points allowed per game).
Nationally, Duke ranked in the top 25 in 13 major statistical categories:
- 1st in scoring margin (+20.5)
- 3rd in assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.82), a program record
- 4th in field goal percentage defense (.384), best since 1960
- 7th in field goal percentage (.493)
- 7th in scoring defense (62.8)
- 10th in free throw percentage (.790), second-best in school history
- 11th in scoring offense (83.2)
- 11th in three-point shooting (.386)
- 13th in rebound margin (+7.2)
Duke also made 394 three-pointers this season, the second-most in program history. Remarkably, they became the only Division I team to average over 80 points per game while allowing fewer than 63, showing their balanced dominance on both ends of the court.
The Blue Devils also achieved a KenPom net rating of 39.29, the second-best in the website’s history dating back to 1996-97—trailing only Duke’s 1998-99 team.
Scheyer’s Rapid Rise to the Top
Jon Scheyer’s coaching resume is growing at a historic pace. With 89 wins in his first three seasons, he ties the NCAA Division I record for most wins in that time frame, joining Brad Stevens (Butler) and Brad Underwood (Stephen F. Austin).
He’s also the youngest head coach to lead a team to the Final Four since 2011 and was recently honored with the 2024-25 John McLendon National Coach of the Year Award—a recognition of his ability to lead, develop talent, and win at the highest level.
Let’s put that in perspective:
Most Wins in First 3 Seasons as a Head Coach (NCAA Division I – Men’s):
- Jon Scheyer (2022-25) – 89
Brad Stevens (2007-10) – 89
Brad Underwood (2013-16) – 89 - Tommy Lloyd (2021-24) – 88
Top Duke Basketball Head Coaches by Wins in First 3 Seasons:
- Jon Scheyer – 89
- Harold Bradley – 61
- Vic Bubas – 59
Win Percentage Leaders:
- Jon Scheyer – .802 (89-22)
- Vic Bubas – .728
- Eddie Cameron – .721
A Bright Future for Duke Basketball
This season wasn’t just about accolades—it was about legacy. Scheyer’s quick rise has helped calm any concerns about Duke’s future after Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement. The program isn’t rebuilding—it’s reloading.
Scheyer has shown a knack for blending talented freshmen with veteran leadership, maximizing the strengths of his roster, and embracing modern offensive and defensive philosophies. And he’s doing all of this while upholding the tradition and high standards that define Duke basketball.
With a Final Four appearance under his belt and top recruiting classes already on the way, the Blue Devils are well-positioned to remain national championship contenders for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Duke basketball is back in the Final Four, and Jon Scheyer has proven himself as one of college basketball’s brightest coaching stars. With an elite season marked by incredible stats, dominant performances, and record-setting achievements, the Blue Devils are once again one of the sport’s gold standards.
And if this is what Duke can accomplish in just three years under Scheyer, the best may still be yet to come.