Jay Bilas Believes Duke Is One of the Best Two Teams in NCAA Basketball This Season
In the ever-competitive world of NCAA basketball, where talent, coaching, and culture often collide in dramatic fashion, certain teams consistently stand out for their ability to perform at a high level. Duke University, under the leadership of Coach Jon Scheyer, is one of those programs that have consistently been among the elite in college basketball. While Duke’s success in recent years has been met with both admiration and criticism, one voice who continues to champion their potential is ESPN’s Jay Bilas. As a basketball analyst and former player for Duke, Bilas has a deep connection to the university, and his assessments carry significant weight in the basketball community.
Recently, Bilas made a bold claim that Duke is one of the best two teams in NCAA basketball this season, a statement that has raised eyebrows but also generated much discussion. His opinion is based on a combination of factors, including Duke’s roster, the leadership of Coach Scheyer, and the team’s ability to perform under pressure. This article explores why Bilas believes Duke belongs in the conversation as one of the top two teams this season, the strengths that make Duke a formidable contender, and what the rest of the college basketball landscape looks like in comparison.
Duke’s Recent History and the Transition to Coach Jon Scheyer
To fully understand Bilas’s confidence in Duke’s status this season, it’s important to first examine the program’s trajectory over the past few years. Duke basketball has been a staple of college basketball excellence for decades, with Coach Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K) leading the Blue Devils to five NCAA titles, 15 Final Four appearances, and 12 ACC Tournament championships. However, the retirement of Coach K at the end of the 2021-2022 season marked a significant turning point in the program’s history.
Jon Scheyer, a former player under Coach K and a key assistant coach, took over as the head coach of Duke. While the transition from a legendary figure like Coach K was never going to be easy, Scheyer’s familiarity with the program, his success as a player, and his previous experience as an assistant coach made him a natural successor. Despite facing high expectations and the pressure of continuing Duke’s legacy, Scheyer’s first two seasons as head coach have been promising, with the team showing flashes of brilliance and a clear direction.
Scheyer’s coaching style is often described as a blend of the fast-paced, aggressive play that Duke has historically employed, while also adapting to modern trends in college basketball. Under Scheyer, Duke has become more versatile, capable of adjusting to different styles of play, and has emphasized player development and building a culture of accountability. This shift has been especially important as Duke has had to compete with an increasingly tough field of contenders, including perennial powerhouses like Kansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
In his second season, Scheyer’s leadership has allowed the program to maintain its position as one of the top teams in the country, and the 2024-2025 season has been no different. With a talented roster and a solid foundation of experienced players, Duke has emerged as one of the most well-rounded teams in college basketball.
Duke’s Roster: A Mix of Experience and Talent
One of the key factors that Bilas points to when discussing Duke’s status as one of the best two teams in college basketball is the team’s roster. Duke has always been known for its blue-chip recruits, and this season is no exception. Scheyer has once again brought in a highly-ranked recruiting class, full of players capable of making an immediate impact.
The standout players on the 2024-2025 Duke roster include a combination of returning players and fresh faces. At the heart of the team is a group of talented underclassmen, many of whom have already gained significant experience in high-pressure situations. Among the key players are:
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Kyle Filipowski: The 7-foot center is one of the most promising big men in college basketball, known for his versatility on both ends of the court. Filipowski can score in the post, stretch the floor with his shooting, and dominate on the boards. His presence in the paint makes Duke a serious threat in the interior, and his ability to stretch the defense adds another layer to the team’s offense. As one of the premier players in the nation, Filipowski is a central piece of Duke’s title hopes.
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Tyrese Proctor: A talented guard with the ability to score, facilitate, and defend, Proctor is another player who has quickly become one of the leaders of the team. His maturity and court vision are impressive for a player of his age, and he plays a crucial role in both creating opportunities for others and managing the pace of the game. As one of Duke’s most dynamic players, Proctor’s leadership and playmaking ability are critical to the team’s success.
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Mark Mitchell: A forward who brings athleticism, energy, and defensive prowess, Mitchell has the ability to guard multiple positions and create mismatches on offense. His versatility gives Duke the flexibility to adjust their lineup depending on the opponent, and his improvement as a shooter has made him an even more dangerous player.
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Jaden Schutt: A talented freshman guard who brings shooting depth to the team, Schutt has the potential to make a major impact off the bench. His three-point shooting and ability to stretch the floor will give Duke the perimeter threat it needs to complement its strong inside presence.
While these are some of the key contributors, Duke’s roster is deep and filled with players who can make a difference at any given moment. The team’s balance of talent, athleticism, and depth makes them a dangerous opponent for any team in the country, and it’s a major reason why Bilas considers them to be among the top two teams in the nation.
Duke’s Defense: A Foundation for Success
Another major reason for Bilas’s belief in Duke’s standing as one of the best teams this season is their defense. Defense has always been a hallmark of Duke basketball, and under Coach Scheyer, the Blue Devils have continued to emphasize tough, physical defense that suffocates opponents. With players like Filipowski, Mitchell, and Proctor, Duke has the ability to guard multiple positions, defend both on and off the ball, and create turnovers that lead to easy transition points.
Duke’s defense is built around its ability to protect the rim, limit second-chance opportunities, and contest shots. The combination of length, athleticism, and basketball IQ gives Duke a defensive edge over many of its opponents. Filipowski’s presence in the paint is particularly critical, as his shot-blocking ability and rebounding make it difficult for opposing teams to get easy looks inside.
Moreover, Duke’s perimeter defense is suffocating, with players like Proctor and Mitchell capable of staying in front of their man and contesting shots. The Blue Devils are also excellent at switching on screens, preventing mismatches, and forcing turnovers that lead to fast-break opportunities. In a season where elite teams are often defined by their ability to lock down on defense, Duke’s defensive prowess puts them in a strong position to compete for a national championship.
The Blue Devils’ Tough Schedule and Key Wins
Duke’s schedule this season has been nothing short of grueling, as they have faced off against some of the best teams in college basketball. Early-season matchups against teams like Kansas, Kentucky, and Arizona have provided Duke with ample opportunities to prove its mettle, and the Blue Devils have responded well to the challenge. These tough games serve as a proving ground for Duke, allowing them to refine their play and adjust to the high level of competition.