5 Duke basketball observations from Blue Devils’ scrimmage at Countdown to Craziness

Posted by Admin October 5, 2024 Basketball

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DURHAM — Duke basketball fans got their first look at the Blue Devils on Friday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Countdown to Craziness featured the first public scrimmage for the Blue Devils ahead of the 2024-25 season. Third-year coach Jon Scheyer has a roster headlined by Cooper Flagg and the top-ranked recruiting class in the nation.

“We’ve got a special group behind me right here,” Scheyer said to the fans before the scrimmage. “. … I think we can have a really special season. It starts tonight.”

Duke hosts exhibition games against Lincoln (Pa.) on Oct. 19 and Arizona State on Oct. 27 before the regular-season opener against Maine on Nov. 4.

The Blue Devils took part in a pair of 10-minute scrimmages, splitting into the Blue and White teams on Friday. Here are some observations from the first look at the 2024-25 Blue Devils:

Cooper Flagg stats in Duke basketball scrimmage

Playing for the White team, Cooper Flagg finished with 13 points on 6-for-12 shooting, three rebounds and three assists. Flagg looked hesitant at times in the first half but picked things up in the second half, finishing with nine points, including a reverse two-handed dunk and step-back 3-pointer. He’ll do a little bit of everything as a connector for the Blue Devils.

Kon Knueppel will be in Duke basketball’s starting lineup

Kon Knueppel, one of Duke’s offseason standouts and a part of the Blue Devils’ top-ranked recruiting class, will likely be in the starting lineup for the season opener. One of four players to switch teams at halftime, Knueppel made plays in both jerseys. Playing for the Blue team in the first half, Knueppel had eight points, four rebounds and two assists. He also took a charge and saved a possession by throwing a ball off a defender. Knueppel always seems to be in the right place on both ends of the court.

Khaman Maluach will be a problem at the rim as Duke’s center

Duke’s Khaman Maluach, Cooper Flagg, Isaiah Evans talk scrimmage

Following Duke basketball’s Countdown to Craziness, several Blue Devils discussed the scrimmage at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Khaman Maluach used every bit of his 7-foot-2, 250-pound frame in his first action at Cameron Indoor Stadium. In the first 10-minute scrimmage, Maluach had four rebounds. The South Sudan big man helped the Blue team dominate the second half of the scrimmage, logging seven points, four rebounds and two blocks. Maluach will be one of the best rim protectors in the nation.

Isaiah Evans shows how fast he can score in bunches

Fayetteville native Isaiah Evans, who played his high school basketball in Charlotte, showed in a two-minute stretch why he’s known for his ability to score in bunches. With eight points, including two 3-pointers in a two-minute stretch, Evans helped the White team win 20-17 in the first 10-minute scrimmage. He finished with 15 points as the second-leading scorer behind Caleb Foster (16 points).

Sion James will be a force as a defender

Like Knueppel, Tulane transfer Sion James was among the most impressive players in the first 10-minute scrimmage. James knocked down a pair of treys and was seemingly in every passing lane, racking up deflections and finishing the first half with four steals. His toughness and defensive prowess will be major assets for this group.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com on @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.