Duke head coach Jon Scheyer has made history by becoming the third person in NCAA Tournament history to coach and play in a Final Four at his alma mater. Scheyer achieved this feat after leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four, where they ultimately lost to Houston.
Scheyer’s Historic Achievement
Scheyer’s accomplishment is notable, joining Joe B. Hall, who helped Kentucky win a national championship as a player in 1949 and later coached the team to three Final Fours. Scheyer played for Duke from 2006 to 2010, leading the team to the 2010 Final Four and winning the national championship that year. Now, as the head coach, he’s taken the same program to the Final Four.
Reaction to the Loss
Despite the historic achievement, Scheyer’s Duke team fell short, losing 70-67 to Houston in the Final Four. Scheyer expressed his heartbreak, stating, “I’m not there yet, to be honest. I’m heartbroken for our team that did everything for 38 minutes or 39 minutes, and came up short.” He also praised his players, saying, “Could not be more proud of these guys. I am thankful for this team, how hard these guys played, how together they played.”
What’s Next for Scheyer
The loss marks a significant moment for Scheyer, with some questioning whether he’s the right leader for Duke. However, Scheyer’s overall record stands at 89-22, with a win percentage of .802. The question remains whether he’ll be able to build on his success and lead the team to a national championship in the future