Duke Basketball Set to Welcome Catamounts to Cameron, Jon Scheyer’s Fourth Duke Squad Begins New Chapter…

Duke Basketball Set to Welcome Catamounts to Cameron, Jon Scheyer’s Fourth Duke Squad Begins New Chapter…

 

DURHAM, N.C. — The countdown to college basketball season has officially begun in Durham as Duke basketball prepares to welcome the Western Carolina Catamounts to Cameron Indoor Stadium. The matchup, set as one of the early non-conference tilts, will serve as a key tune-up for Jon Scheyer’s fourth season at the helm of the Blue Devils.

 

After three seasons of steady growth following the legendary Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement, Scheyer is facing perhaps his most pivotal year yet. The 2025 squad features a blend of veteran leadership, high-profile freshmen, and returning stars with something to prove. As the Blue Devils eye another deep NCAA Tournament run, every game — especially those in the famously raucous environment of Cameron — will matter.

 

Welcoming the Catamounts presents an opportunity for Duke to start building chemistry early in the season. Western Carolina, a program out of the Southern Conference (SoCon), enters the matchup looking to make a statement. The Catamounts, who have shown flashes of brilliance in recent seasons, will be eager to test themselves against one of the sport’s most storied programs.

 

Scheyer’s squad, meanwhile, is expected to be a national contender once again. Duke boasts one of the top-ranked recruiting classes in the country, headlined by five-star forward Malik Avery and dynamic point guard Jaylen Blake Jr. These new additions will join returning standouts like sophomore wing Caleb Foster and junior big man Kyle Filipowski, who surprised many by opting to return for another season rather than entering the NBA Draft.

 

“We’re excited about this group,” Scheyer said during a preseason media availability. “They’ve been working hard, and they understand the legacy they’re stepping into. But this is also their team now. They’re ready to write their own chapter.”

 

That chapter begins in earnest against the Catamounts. While Duke will be heavily favored, Western Carolina comes in with a seasoned roster and nothing to lose. Head coach Justin Gray has instilled a fast-paced, aggressive brand of basketball that could challenge Duke’s young core early.

 

For Blue Devil fans, the return to Cameron Indoor means more than just basketball — it’s a return to tradition, noise, and expectations. Last season, Duke made it to the Elite Eight before falling to a surging Big Ten power. That experience — both painful and motivating — is likely to fuel this year’s squad.

 

The matchup also marks a crucial early chance for Scheyer to evaluate rotations, test different lineups, and build cohesion. With a tough non-conference slate ahead, including games against Arizona, Michigan State, and the ACC gauntlet looming, every minute on the floor will count.

 

Tip-off against Western Carolina is set for later this fall, with an exact date and broadcast details expected to be announced in the coming weeks. One thing’s for sure: the echoes of Cameron Indoor are ready to roar again, and Jon Scheyer’s fourth Duke team is ready for its moment.