Duke coach Jon Scheyer was pleased to see Isaiah Evans make six 3-pointers during the first half of what became an 84-78 win over Auburn on Dec. 4. Of course he was: Those shots dug Duke out of an early hole on the scoreboard and helped the Blue Devils claim an important win. What pleased Scheyer just as much, though, is how the mercurial freshman guard handled things four nights later, when he missed his only two shots during Duke’s 76-65 win at Louisville
Duke’s head coach, Jon Scheyer, was understandably pleased with Isaiah Evans’ performance during the Blue Devils’ 84-78 win over Auburn on December 4. The freshman guard exploded for six 3-pointers in the first half, a remarkable display of sharpshooting that helped Duke recover from an early deficit and ultimately secure the victory. His hot hand from beyond the arc allowed Duke to regain momentum and seize control of the game, and it was clear that his shooting was a key factor in the win. However, as pleased as Scheyer was with Evans’ scoring outburst, what impressed him even more was the guard’s response four nights later, when the Blue Devils faced Louisville.
In their 76-65 win against Louisville, Evans’ performance was a stark contrast to his previous outing. The freshman guard struggled to find his rhythm, missing his only two shot attempts in the game. Despite the disappointing individual performance, Scheyer’s reaction to Evans’ night in Louisville spoke volumes about his understanding of what it takes to succeed as a player at the collegiate level.
Scheyer emphasized the importance of Evans’ mental approach during this challenging game. Instead of letting his missed shots affect his confidence or attitude, Evans stayed engaged and contributed in other ways. He didn’t sulk or become a non-factor on the floor.
Instead, Evans focused on the little things that are often just as important as scoring, such as playing solid defense, making smart passes, and keeping his teammates motivated. Scheyer praised Evans for maintaining his poise and for understanding that basketball is about more than just making shots. Even without scoring, the freshman guard demonstrated that he could be impactful in other facets of the game, contributing to Duke’s overall success.
For Scheyer, this was a critical moment in Evans’ development as a player. The freshman’s ability to bounce back from an off night, without allowing it to derail his confidence or energy, was a sign of his maturity and growing understanding of the game. For a player like Evans, who had shown he could dominate when the shots were falling, his response to adversity was equally important. It’s easy to be effective when things are going well, but true growth as a player comes when you learn to stay engaged and contribute even when you’re not in the spotlight.
Scheyer’s satisfaction came not just from the win, but from the realization that Evans was starting to mature as a player, recognizing that the game is a team effort and that there are many ways to impact a game beyond scoring. Evans’ growth, both on and off the court, will undoubtedly be vital for Duke as they move forward in the season.