Duke's Roster

[BookofMormon]

How the hell is Scheyer pulling in all these kids to sit the bench? I don't think I've ever seen a team this deep. To put it in perspective, they brought in a center named Maxime Meyer out of Canada who was the best player on their winning U18 team, over USA. He won't see the light of day out there this year as he's going to be buried behind Ngongba, the Belmont transfer and this kid JBB they just pulled out of Barcelona, who is expected to be the first pick of the 2028 draft. Meyer had offers from Florida and Michigan St. Florida has a great track record with bigs and Michigan St was center needy. He would. have gotten PT at either.

Duke is rostering what could legitimately be two top 20 teams, in an era where top kids are leveraging for PT. Their three 5 stars may all start the season off the bench (Williams, Rippey, Howard), behind JBB, Sarr and Foster/Boozer. Does a kid like Deron Rippey want to be part of the Duke experience so badly, as the top rated PG, that he's ok being the third PG behind Foster and Boozer?

I consider UConn the best program in the sport right now given their coach, but if Scheyer ever figures it out with that talent advantage, they could become dominant quick. That brand is able to just about any player they want at this point and apparently has the NIL to stick high end talent on their bench.

Personally this year, while Florida is getting pegged preseason 1 by most, we kind of know what that team is as the same team as last year. Duke has insane upside if it hits and Scheyer figures out how to coach all that depth. They could be dominant by end of year, especially if they can identify a reliable second scorer after Blackwell.

 

[KyKevin]

How the hell is Scheyer pulling in all these kids to sit the bench? I don't think I've ever seen a team this deep. To put it in perspective, they brought in a center named Maxime Meyer out of Canada who was the best player on their winning U18 team, over USA. He won't see the light of day out there this year as he's going to be buried behind Ngongba, the Belmont transfer and this kid JBB they just pulled out of Barcelona, who is expected to be the first pick of the 2028 draft. Meyer had offers from Florida and Michigan St. Florida has a great track record with bigs and Michigan St was center needy. He would. have gotten PT at either.

Duke is rostering what could legitimately be two top 20 teams, in an era where top kids are leveraging for PT. Their three 5 stars may all start the season off the bench (Williams, Rippey, Howard), behind JBB, Sarr and Foster/Boozer. Does a kid like Deron Rippey want to be part of the Duke experience so badly, as the top rated PG, that he's ok being the third PG behind Foster and Boozer?

I consider UConn the best program in the sport right now given their coach, but if Scheyer ever figures it out with that talent advantage, they could become dominant quick. That brand is able to just about any player they want at this point and apparently has the NIL to stick high end talent on their bench.

Personally this year, while Florida is getting pegged preseason 1 by most, we kind of know what that team is as the same team as last year. Duke has insane upside if it hits and Scheyer figures out how to coach all that depth. They could be dominant by end of year, especially if they can identify a reliable second scorer after Blackwell.

Duke must have some deep a.ss pockets, that is the only way those top players are all going there. But Duke keeps that s.hit quiet. They must not want people knowing they have $30 to $40,000,000 in a basketball team. Money will eventually win a title, with these stacked teams. That's how Cal done it, but without the money, I guess

 

[Runt#1969]

Arranging mad contracts paying $28 million to a player for one year ? Maybe that's one way?

I knew he was 17 at one point, I kept hearing it so often, how could I forget? The only other number I can remember now of him is $28 million. pUKe did a good job arranging that one. I still like so many of the other ones they've pulled off better, though.

Now we've got a "new balance generation" with Flagg and a heaping doesage of Wembanyama. At least I can stomach Wemby.

At least for my ramblings, all I can add is there are 2 things there that keep me happily rooting for pUKe to be the first knocked out of every march madness every single time...

One "if" there says : "if they can hit their upside."
and
two : "if Scheyer figures out how to coach .... "

so, as a Kentucky fan, that gives me a lot of confidence - he isn't getting it done.

The best way to predict future behavior is to judge the immediate past behavior, and we keep seeing them flame out and choke in epic fashion year after year, if you ask me. I don't see it changing. He isn't a very good coach, he's blown it with some major, major talent there - and in abundance - already.

I for one, would love just to keep on seing that happen, of course.

I am confident the "if's" aren't going to be answered for them this year. We shall see.

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

They've been pushed as the premier program for many years + K running Team USA for a decade + extremely rich alumni base now able to pay for play. Not surprising, really.

 

[NociHTTP]

Arranging mad contracts paying $28 million to a player for one year ? Maybe that's one way?

I knew he was 17 at one point, I kept hearing it so often, how could I forget? The only other number I can remember now of him is $28 million. pUKe did a good job arranging that one. I still like so many of the other ones they've pulled off better, though.

Now we've got a "new balance generation" with Flagg and a heaping doesage of Wembanyama. At least I can stomach Wemby.

At least for my ramblings, all I can add is there are 2 things there that keep me happily rooting for pUKe to be the first knocked out of every march madness every single time...

One "if" there says : "if they can hit their upside."
and
two : "if Scheyer figures out how to coach .... "

so, as a Kentucky fan, that gives me a lot of confidence - he isn't getting it done.

The best way to predict future behavior is to judge the immediate past behavior, and we keep seeing them flame out and choke in epic fashion year after year, if you ask me. I don't see it changing. He isn't a very good coach, he's blown it with some major, major talent there - and in abundance - already.

I for one, would love just to keep on seing that happen, of course.

I am confident the "if's" aren't going to be answered for them this year. We shall see.

OP would disagree.

 

[TFCat11]

They spend 2x-3x what everyone else does, and it’s still pocket change by comparison! No one talks about it, because the $$$ numbers are kept out of the media, but anyone who has been paying attention knows they’re pushing $30 million +++ since the Cooper Flagg class.

 

[FactsOrOpinions]

Duck Fuke

 

[DudahUK]

How the hell is Scheyer pulling in all these kids to sit the bench? I don't think I've ever seen a team this deep. To put it in perspective, they brought in a center named Maxime Meyer out of Canada who was the best player on their winning U18 team, over USA. He won't see the light of day out there this year as he's going to be buried behind Ngongba, the Belmont transfer and this kid JBB they just pulled out of Barcelona, who is expected to be the first pick of the 2028 draft. Meyer had offers from Florida and Michigan St. Florida has a great track record with bigs and Michigan St was center needy. He would. have gotten PT at either.

Duke is rostering what could legitimately be two top 20 teams, in an era where top kids are leveraging for PT. Their three 5 stars may all start the season off the bench (Williams, Rippey, Howard), behind JBB, Sarr and Foster/Boozer. Does a kid like Deron Rippey want to be part of the Duke experience so badly, as the top rated PG, that he's ok being the third PG behind Foster and Boozer?

I consider UConn the best program in the sport right now given their coach, but if Scheyer ever figures it out with that talent advantage, they could become dominant quick. That brand is able to just about any player they want at this point and apparently has the NIL to stick high end talent on their bench.

Personally this year, while Florida is getting pegged preseason 1 by most, we kind of know what that team is as the same team as last year. Duke has insane upside if it hits and Scheyer figures out how to coach all that depth. They could be dominant by end of year, especially if they can identify a reliable second scorer after Blackwell.

They are private so they are spending crazy crazy money. I know. Makes me absolutely sick.

 

[DudahUK]

If only we won in 15. That Duke machine might have been shut down and that would be us.

 

[UKCowboys]

They've been pushed as the premier program for many years + K running Team USA for a decade + extremely rich alumni base now able to pay for play. Not surprising, really.

And....No Championships in over a Decade lol.

 

[BetterThanYou]

They are spending whole standard deviation over the rest of college basketball.

I’m sure these I’m contracts are pretty interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised if guys are getting Bobby Bonilla style deals with how much Duke alums are tied into Wall Street.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Duke has deep pockets.

Eventually they are gonna win a title this decade. They have lost two fluky as hell games last 2 ncaa tournaments fortunately. One year that isnt gonna happen.

Meanwhile we are getting slaughtered in our ncaa losses.

 

[Smeegs]

Meyer had offers from Florida and Michigan St. Florida has a great track record with bigs and Michigan St was center needy. He would. have gotten PT at either.

No. At Florida he would’ve also been buried at the end of the bench. Have you forgotten that Condon, Haugh and Chinyelu all blew off the NBA to return to UF? The Gators’ frontcourt is crazy stacked this year.

 

[UKgrad22]

However much money we think Duke spent on their roster, it’s probably even more than that. And since they’re a private university they never have to reveal their finances

 

[katwest]

Scheyer like Splinter has a round mouth, lifetime birthday cards, jobs for family members and lifetime passes to Disney world. Those are just some of the perks the choir boys get. Teenagers that go there love those things they have been getting since birth.

 

[Padsfs07]

How the hell is Scheyer pulling in all these kids to sit the bench? I don't think I've ever seen a team this deep. To put it in perspective, they brought in a center named Maxime Meyer out of Canada who was the best player on their winning U18 team, over USA. He won't see the light of day out there this year as he's going to be buried behind Ngongba, the Belmont transfer and this kid JBB they just pulled out of Barcelona, who is expected to be the first pick of the 2028 draft. Meyer had offers from Florida and Michigan St. Florida has a great track record with bigs and Michigan St was center needy. He would. have gotten PT at either.

Duke is rostering what could legitimately be two top 20 teams, in an era where top kids are leveraging for PT. Their three 5 stars may all start the season off the bench (Williams, Rippey, Howard), behind JBB, Sarr and Foster/Boozer. Does a kid like Deron Rippey want to be part of the Duke experience so badly, as the top rated PG, that he's ok being the third PG behind Foster and Boozer?

I consider UConn the best program in the sport right now given their coach, but if Scheyer ever figures it out with that talent advantage, they could become dominant quick. That brand is able to just about any player they want at this point and apparently has the NIL to stick high end talent on their bench.

Personally this year, while Florida is getting pegged preseason 1 by most, we kind of know what that team is as the same team as last year. Duke has insane upside if it hits and Scheyer figures out how to coach all that depth. They could be dominant by end of year, especially if they can identify a reliable second scorer after Blackwell.

Why are you upselling their bench. Maxime Meyer played at IMG last year in America and is rated as the #110 player in the 2026 class, just ahead of Mason Williams.

Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje reclassed and is rated around 59th in the 2026 class, which is about where Hampton would fall if he reclassified.

They have a good top 8-9 guys though. Foster, Blackwell, Sarr, Williams, and Ngongba as the starting 5 with Boozer, Rippey, and Howard off the bench (plus the two bigs getting some spot minutes)

 

[BookofMormon]

No. At Florida he would’ve also been buried at the end of the bench. Have you forgotten that Condon, Haugh and Chinyelu all blew off the NBA to return to UF? The Gators’ frontcourt is crazy stacked this year.

Those guys all start at the 3-4-5, he would have been rotating in to backup Chinyelu.

He will get no time at Duke, as in zero.

Why are you upselling their bench. Maxime Meyer played at IMG last year in America and is rated as the #110 player in the 2026 class, just ahead of Mason Williams.

Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje reclassed and is rated around 59th in the 2026 class, which is about where Hampton would fall if he reclassified.

They have a good top 8-9 guys though. Foster, Blackwell, Sarr, Williams, and Ngongba as the starting 5 with Boozer, Rippey, and Howard off the bench (plus the two bigs getting some spot minutes)

Did you watch him at all as Canada's U18 team upset the US? The HS rankings were all locked up before that tourney, he's far better than the 99 ranking 247 gave him. He's a very smart player.

JBB is projected as the first pick of the 28 draft, throw that ranking out the window. He's young, but a special talent. Hampton isn't even in the same atmosphere. JBB is seen as the best talent across the next 3 classes. He's neck and neck as a potential starter at the 4, likely the favorite over Williams. And/or he'll see some backup minutes behind Ngongba. I'm not even sure how Scheyer ends up running his rotations, he has so many options.

Whatever upselling I'm doing, you are drastically diluting.

PG - Foster, Boozer, Rippey (5*)
SG - Blackwell
SF - Sarr, Howard (5*)
PF - JBB, Williams (5*), Wilkins
C - Ngongba, Scharnowski, Meyer

I'm sure they'll find some time for Rippey by rotating a PG or Howard behind Blackwell to backup, but how much time can Rippey be seeing this year? There are only 80 minutes to go around between those two positions and Blackwell is going to get at least 30 at the 2G. Foster and Boozer are getting at least 20 minutes each you'd think.

Sebastian Wilkins is buried, he is a sophomore 4 star and ranked top 50 two classes ago. Why in the world did he not transfer out when he likely could have gotten starter or big minutes in another program? He had offers from Bama, Maryland.

Scharnowski was the 30th ranked transfer, amazing athlete. And he came to backup in a 4-5 room that is 6 deep.

That's 12 deep. Any kid of those 7 backups could have gone to another high D1 and gotten starter or significant minutes. Yet they're going to Duke to ride pine and hold the baby.

Duke must have serious NIL. They are rostering what is 2 top 20 teams. More impressive is their ability to get these kids to come and backup when they have so many options. It shows the power of their brand/experience and how kids eat it up. There is not one other program that can do that right now.

If Scheyer ever does figure out how to coach, and not fart his pants annually, Duke is set up. Either it's a matter of time, or he just doesn't have it. Hoping for the latter. This year is a real test for him, as he's **** his pants two years in a row with the NPOY, blowing massive leads in games he was favored. This roster isn't as talented as the Flagg team, but it's much deeper. Meanwhile he hasn't really shown an ability to use depth, as he's generally been a 7-8 deep kind of strategy, use pressure defense and pick up his pace of play.

 

[Neal Orac]

Doesn't matter as long as Scheyer is the coach.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

They are spending more than anyone else. Its annoying how we had to hear every week about how we spent "$20 mil".. yet we never seem to hear what Duke spends.

There is absolutely no reason for a starting caliber type of player to take a bench role, effectively halting his chances to make "real" NBA money.. there is nothing special about Duke to warrant a player choosing that. Which means these bench players are getting more to sit at Duke than they are to play at other schools.

I wouldn't be shocked if through NIL and back channels, if Dukes roster isn't getting close to $50mil. Which some will laugh at, but we know that before NIL they were giving players money.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

Duke must have some deep a.ss pockets, that is the only way those top players are all going there. But Duke keeps that s.hit quiet. They must not want people knowing they have $30 to $40,000,000 in a basketball team. Money will eventually win a title, with these stacked teams. That's how Cal done it, but without the money, I guess

Its Nike plus whatever dark money (a yahoo.com article term) they have which is apparently endless.

They literally have endless money, it just doesn't come from their collective. It comes from other sources AND sets up all these guys with national deals.

There is just no way to compete with them financially. They should literally win every year. Its laughable they don't.

 

[KyKevin]

Its Nike plus whatever dark money (a yahoo.com article term) they have which is apparently endless.

They literally have endless money, it just doesn't come from their collective. It comes from other sources AND sets up all these guys with national deals.

There is just no way to compete with them financially. They should literally win every year. Its laughable they don't.

I hear you, It's probably an unbelievable amount. Sheyer was set up good from K, how could you not win with those type of recruits.

When you get the horses, your going to eventually win the race.

Makes you wonder if there is much pressure on Sheyer to win it all, or is Duke just much more patient then Ky.

 

[sk73]

They spend 2x-3x what everyone else does, and it’s still pocket change by comparison! No one talks about it, because the $$$ numbers are kept out of the media, but anyone who has been paying attention knows they’re pushing $30 million +++ since the Cooper Flagg class.

How do you know what amount they are paying. Seriously, how did you find this information about Duke.

 

[BetterThanYou]

It’s called reading between the lines.

Look up the One Vision Futures Fund.

 

[FilsonCat]

Duke is a rogue program and is an example of everything wrong with college athletics. They have been rogue for decades. Just like North Carolina and systemic academic fraud, Duke has their own piece of the market cornered on systemic corruption. And they have enough friendly faces in the national sports media that no one with the power to do anything asks the right questions.

At this point, I am all for transparent player contracts, a CBA to protect player rights, and a salary cap for each program. The NIL framework in CBB is just a fig leaf for pay for play anyway.

The entire system needs to be re-thought and reworked to fix it while we still have the chance.

 

[BookofMormon]

Arranging mad contracts paying $28 million to a player for one year ? Maybe that's one way?

I knew he was 17 at one point, I kept hearing it so often, how could I forget? The only other number I can remember now of him is $28 million. pUKe did a good job arranging that one. I still like so many of the other ones they've pulled off better, though.

Now we've got a "new balance generation" with Flagg and a heaping doesage of Wembanyama. At least I can stomach Wemby.

At least for my ramblings, all I can add is there are 2 things there that keep me happily rooting for pUKe to be the first knocked out of every march madness every single time...

One "if" there says : "if they can hit their upside."
and
two : "if Scheyer figures out how to coach .... "

so, as a Kentucky fan, that gives me a lot of confidence - he isn't getting it done.

The best way to predict future behavior is to judge the immediate past behavior, and we keep seeing them flame out and choke in epic fashion year after year, if you ask me. I don't see it changing. He isn't a very good coach, he's blown it with some major, major talent there - and in abundance - already.

I for one, would love just to keep on seing that happen, of course.

I am confident the "if's" aren't going to be answered for them this year. We shall see.

I sincerely do not think any coach "develops" a player in one year. It's simply impossible to bring a kid in for summer practice, have one season with them and think you impacted their trajectory. Bologna.

I think it takes two years minimum, an offseason to work on things. I've yet to see Scheyer really develop anyone - did Proctor get better in three years? I'd say no. Foster?

Can we flag one kid that played with Scheyer for more than one year that actually improved? Filipowski played two years and was highly touted and Scheyer got him what? A second round pick. Evans? Second round pick.

Right now, his formula is procuring talent and seeing what is good enough to hold onto.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I mean if they want to spend all this money just to be fringe Final4 teams.. by all means. It likely wont last forever. I dont think any school is gonna be keen to just throw tens of millions at a 1-year roster that could very well win absolutely nothing of importance.. and that includes UK.

I think these roster salaries are bloated now because its new and all these businesses have money to blow. We will see how that looks in 5 years when $50mil/year salaries arent really giving much of an ROI compared to a $10mil roster.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

This is why Kentucky will always be a second tier basketball program in the NIL era and why Pope is a great fit for the program. People think I'm a troll for stating the obvious. There is no way in the NIL era that Kentucky can compete with programs like Duke.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Doesn't matter as long as Scheyer is the coach.

This! If they couldn’t win with Flagg and then with Boozer, they aren’t winning **** this year either. Scheyer is a terrible coach.

 

[BookofMormon]

Doesn't matter as long as Scheyer is the coach.

Lot of pressure on that guy this year. This is a stacked roster. If he doesn't make, at minimum, the F4, I think the Duke faithful are going to grow restless.

 

[JustBlue]

Sadly, Kentucky is waaaaay behind Duke when it comes to modern college basketball roster construction. It just is what it is.

 

[Neal Orac]

Duke has taken the meaning of flopping to a whole new level.

They really were a one-coach wonder.

 

[Neal Orac]

This is why Kentucky will always be a second tier basketball program in the NIL era and why Pope is a great fit for the program. People think I'm a troll for stating the obvious. There is no way in the NIL era that Kentucky can compete with programs like Duke.

Scoreboard.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

I hear you, It's probably an unbelievable amount. Sheyer was set up good from K, how could you not win with those type of recruits.

When you get the horses, your going to eventually win the race.

Makes you wonder if there is much pressure on Sheyer to win it all, or is Duke just much more patient then Ky.

They just dont have a fanbase like we do. ESPN and MSM can pretend otherwise, but it's true. That's why there is no real pressure because there isn't a real fanbase. That's why they play in a matchbox.

That said, the big spenders like Nike will eventually start complaining and that's when there will be change.

Dude has the best lineup by far every year. Not even Cal would've lost with flagg, kon, and maluach. That was an insane roster.

 

[UKCowboys]

This is why Kentucky will always be a second tier basketball program in the NIL era and why Pope is a great fit for the program. People think I'm a troll for stating the obvious. There is no way in the NIL era that Kentucky can compete with programs like Duke.

Duke....zero Championships for over a decade and counting....what's so hard about competing with that lol?

 

[Smeegs]

They just dont have a fanbase like we do. ESPN and MSM can pretend otherwise, but it's true. That's why there is no real pressure because there isn't a real fanbase. That's why they play in a matchbox.

That’s not really the reason. Duke could easily build and fill a modern state of the art arena if they wanted to.

The reason they don’t is because Cameron has become an inextricable part of the Duke brand/image and their insanely rich alumni base would riot if they tried to get rid of their beloved matchbox. Similar to the reason why the Red Sox won’t leave tiny outdated Fenway Park, the Cubs won’t leave Wrigley Field, the Packers won’t leave Lambeau, and Notre Dame won’t leave its century old stadium.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

That’s not really the reason. Duke could easily build and fill a modern state of the art arena if they wanted to.

The reason they don’t is because Cameron has become an inextricable part of the Duke brand/image and their insanely rich alumni base would riot if they tried to get rid of their beloved matchbox. Similar to the reason why the Red Sox won’t leave tiny outdated Fenway Park, the Cubs won’t leave Wrigley Field, the Packers won’t leave Lambeau, and Notre Dame won’t leave its century old stadium.

Keep telling yourself that. They dont build it because no one would show. It is like the anti field of dreams.

They're a media creation. ESPN knew years ago when they had that ACC contract they would benefit from promoting duke and unc. They used their "news" programs to highlight them, knowing it would drive ratings and they were right.

It was a genius move by ESPN and helped them grow. It was an amazing deal for Duke and I don't blame them for their part in the charade. Just dont pretend they have some sort of actual fanbase.

 

[BookofMormon]

Keep telling yourself that. They dont build it because no one would show. It is like the anti field of dreams.

They're a media creation. ESPN knew years ago when they had that ACC contract they would benefit from promoting duke and unc. They used their "news" programs to highlight them, knowing it would drive ratings and they were right.

It was a genius move by ESPN and helped them grow. It was an amazing deal for Duke and I don't blame them for their part in the charade. Just dont pretend they have some sort of actual fanbase.

Duke has easily the largest fan base in the country - if you need proof, look at their socials. IG following is over 2mm - almost 4x that of UK. I am near MSG and when Duke plays there, there are hoards of fans coming out of the woodworks to go. Duke has fans out of North Carolina, UK does not have fans out of Kentucky. The only fans that would go watch UK are those that flew in from Kentucky.

Whether they are media created or not, the reality is that they are the ND of CBB. They were a program that was right place, right time at the apex of CBB's growth, with ESPN and Dick Vitale plumping them up. They were in 7 of 9 Final Four's in that time frame, so they earned it. Couple that with the B2B with Laettner/Hurley and you have the seed for what is Duke today.

Net net, they have a national fan base, not a local one.

They could easily fill a bigger stadium, and I mean easily. Don't disillusion yourself with bias by holding onto what you think are advantages.

 

[Nightwish]

Huh? So Duke doesn't have a large, passionate fanbase across the country? That's a pov I've never heard before lol.

 

[BookofMormon]

Duke....zero Championships for over a decade and counting....what's so hard about competing with that lol?

This part is great - but in the NIL, social media era they are showing they can do things from a talent perspective no one else can. Dangerous if Scheyer ever figures out how to coach at his young age.

If you gave Hurley his rosters annually you might see the 70s UCLA teams.

 

[UKCowboys]

This part is great - but in the NIL, social media era they are showing they can do things from a talent perspective no one else can. Dangerous if Scheyer ever figures out how to coach at his young age.

If you gave Hurley his rosters annually you might see the 70s UCLA teams.

You have several ifs and mights in there...If I ran a 4.1 forty I might play in the NFL. 0 for a Decade and counting at Duke