Duke basketball freshman sensation Cooper Flagg is a natural floor general. Graduate newcomer Sion James is among college hoops’ most intimidating possession initiators. Plus, the No. 2-ranked Blue Devils (20-2, 12-0 ACC), riding the program’s longest winning streak since its JJ Redick era at 16 straight, are benefiting from savvy distributors Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor, among others.
ALSO READ: Five-Star Duke Signee Outduels Top-Ranked 2026 Prep
Led by Flagg (4.1 per game), James (3.1), and Knueppel (2.6), six Blue Devils are averaging at least 1.5 assists following their 83-54 road victory over the Syracuse Orange on Wednesday night.
top plays from the win at Cuse pic.twitter.com/larEWYraYw
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) February 6, 2025
As a unit, the Blue Devils have posted 374 dimes on 614 made field goals, a 60.9 percent clip, drawing the following “Best passing team in Duke history?” question mark from the program’s social media accounts:
Best passing team in Duke history? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/B3As34etEw
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) February 7, 2025
If the season ended today, 60.9 would rank No. 1 in Duke basketball history, two percentage points higher than the 1988-89 Final Four squad, featuring that year’s Naismith Trophy winner in brilliant-passing senior forward Danny Ferry.
Just shy of Ferry & Co. on the list is Christian Laettner and the legendary 1991-92 team, which completed Duke’s statement back-to-back national titles.
The 2024-25 Blue Devils look to continue their artistry in the distribution department and all-around relentless charge toward Duke basketball lore in a road test against the Clemson Tigers (18-5, 10-2 ACC) at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN).
ALSO READ: Former Duke One-And-Done on the Move Again in NBA
Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.
Jeff BorzelloFeb 7, 2025, 10:00 AM ETClose Basketball recruiting insider. Joined ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.One of the biggest jobs in c
So ends another failed attempt by Indiana to recapture Bob Knight’s coaching magic.Mike Woodson may still finish out his fourth season as the Hoosiers’ head
Bruce Thornton's last-second, banked-in 3-pointer did more than lift Ohio State back to .500 in Big Ten play.Thornton's game-winner Thursday night against No. 1
Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.Singapore’s government has joined