The hype is real in Durham — but so is the concern.
Through the first few weeks of summer practice, one thing has become clear: this Duke team might have the highest upside of the Jon Scheyer era. From high-flying freshmen to battle-tested returners, the talent level is off the charts. But for all the flashes of brilliance, there’s one glaring issue that continues to show up — and it could be the difference between a Final Four and an early exit.
What’s the problem? Consistency.
Multiple insiders who’ve attended Duke’s closed scrimmages say it’s like watching two different teams — sometimes in the same 20-minute stretch. One moment, the Blue Devils are flying around, locking down defensively, and pushing the pace like a top-5 team. The next? Turnovers, missed assignments, lazy closeouts, and long scoring droughts.
“Everybody’s trying to find their role,” one staffer said. “But right now, the effort and focus fluctuate way too much. And in the ACC, that gets you beat.”
The talent isn’t in question.
Caleb Foster looks more polished — sharper decisions, better handle, more vocal on the floor.
Isaiah Evans is playing with a new level of confidence, attacking off the dribble and showing real flashes as a go-to scorer.
And the freshman trio of Dame Sarr, Cameron Boozer, and Darren Harris has already begun making waves. Each brings something unique: Sarr’s shot-making, Boozer’s strength and vision, and Harris’s deadly perimeter touch.
Even transfer big man Maliq Brown has turned heads with his motor and physicality.
But despite the individual skill, the team hasn’t fully gelled. Leaders haven’t firmly emerged. Defensive communication is inconsistent. And while Coach Scheyer is preaching discipline and details, the follow-through isn’t quite there yet.
“The ceiling is elite,” another source added. “But they’ve got to tighten the little things. Until they do, they’re beatable.”
So is it panic time in Durham? Not quite.
Summer is for mistakes. It’s for learning, experimenting, and building chemistry. And Duke still has time to figure it out.
But as one former player who visited a recent practice put it:
“They’ve got every tool in the toolbox… They just need to learn how to build something with it.”
