No one has experienced more devastating times for Duke basketball than Jon Scheyer.
The Blue Devils’ fifth-year coach suffered one of his worst losses this year in the Elite Eight shocker against UConn. While the 74-73 score does not tell the whole story of how Duke was outplayed in the final six minutes before Braylon Mullins made the game-winning three-pointer, the defeat still feels the same.
Scheyer spoke with Westwood One’s Josh Graham about his team’s season. Rather than minimize the situation, the player turned coach used it as an opportunity to reflect and move ahead.
I’m not going to hide the fact that it’s quite heartbreaking and devastating when you lose the way we did, Scheyer told Graham. In the last two seasons, we have suffered two horrific losses. At the same time, we’ve reached the Elite Eight three times in a row for the first time in 30-something years. We’ve had a lot of success in the competition. It hasn’t concluded in a victory the way we had hoped.
Duke has been in the thick of the greatest team debate since last year. However, neither trip to the NCAA Tournament resulted in a championship game participation. Despite National Player of the Year Cameron Boozer leading the way, the Blue Devils took the tourney’s No. 1 overall seed but failed to achieve consistency. But Scheyer’s focus is on the process, with the goal of producing a better outcome.
It would be something, but the frightening reality is that we are not close. The fact is, we’re knocking on the door. We are right there, according to Scheyer. And we have to keep finding methods to win the margin, reassemble with a new squad for the following year, and not give up. We’re going to stick with it. We’re going to keep at it until we get there.
Many Duke supporters were heartbroken following the defeat to UConn. And with good reason. It is difficult to see a lead of as many as 19 points collapse in the second half. Nobody can prepare a team to try to accept everything. Scheyer isn’t going to live or die on a single poor performance that jeopardizes an entire season of effort.
However, avoid being influenced by outside noise, expectations, or anybody attempting to persuade you that one game has altered the outcome of the full year. I’m not going to let that happen because this squad deserves to be appreciated for the year they’ve had, Scheyer said. 35-2 with the schedule we were on going into that game. Incredible. And they are a fantastic group to coach.
Duke is now putting together his team for next season. Scheyer is looking for players who are a good fit for his program now that the transfer portal window has opened.
