BREAKING NEWS: Jon Scheyer Explains Why the Week Off Will Be Critical for the Duke Blue Devils
Durham, NC – In a rare and candid moment, Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer sat down for an exclusive interview to discuss why the upcoming week off will be crucial for his team as they prepare for the second half of their season. With the team facing a tough stretch ahead in the ACC and beyond, Scheyer emphasized how this time away from competition will give Duke the chance to reset, regroup, and make necessary adjustments.
Duke’s season has had its fair share of highs and lows, from thrilling victories to gut-wrenching losses. As the Blue Devils enter a brief break from games, Scheyer believes this time off will be instrumental in ensuring they stay on course for a successful postseason push. “It’s not just about the physical break—it’s about giving ourselves the space to reflect, refocus, and recharge,” Scheyer explained. “The grind of the season can wear you down, mentally and physically. This week off is a chance for us to step back, analyze where we are, and really figure out how we can be better moving forward.”
The Blue Devils have been a formidable force in college basketball this season, but their play has been marked by inconsistency. Some games they’ve looked unstoppable, with stellar performances from freshman phenom Tyrese Fields and senior captain Malik Anderson, while in others, they’ve struggled to find offensive rhythm and tighten up their defense. Scheyer sees this break as a perfect time to address these issues.
One area that has been a concern for Duke is their rebounding. While the Blue Devils boast a number of talented big men, including 7-foot center Jackson Hayes, they’ve occasionally been outmuscled on the boards by smaller, scrappier teams. “Rebounding is a mindset,” Scheyer noted. “We have the talent, but we need to be more aggressive, more focused in those situations. This week, we’ll be spending a lot of time emphasizing boxing out, securing rebounds, and making sure we’re competing on every possession.”
Offensively, Duke’s ball movement has often been uneven. The team has been highly dependent on Fields’ individual brilliance, but Scheyer wants his team to play a more fluid style of basketball, with less reliance on isolation plays and more emphasis on ball-sharing and finding the best possible shot. “We’ve got to become more disciplined and unselfish on offense,” Scheyer said. “Tyrese is an incredible player, but we can’t be one-dimensional. We need everyone to contribute and understand the importance of playing together.”
The week off also comes at a crucial time for Duke’s roster, which has dealt with injuries and fatigue over the past few weeks. Junior forward Chris Davenport, who has been dealing with a lingering knee issue, is expected to benefit from the extra time to rest and recover. “Chris is a huge part of what we do, both offensively and defensively,” Scheyer said. “This week will give him a chance to fully heal and return to the court at 100%. We’re also going to use this time to work on his conditioning so he’s ready to go for the rest of the season.”
With a challenging slate of games ahead, including matchups against several top-ranked ACC teams, Scheyer knows that the Blue Devils can’t afford to waste this opportunity. “We’ve got some tough games coming up,” he acknowledged. “But this week is about getting our minds and bodies right. It’s about coming back fresh, with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.”
Scheyer also discussed the importance of team chemistry during this time. “One of the biggest benefits of having a break like this is the ability to bond as a team,” he said. “We’ll have some extra time to spend with one another, both on and off the court. That cohesion is essential as we head into the latter part of the season.”
As the Blue Devils take this much-needed breather, Duke fans are hopeful that this break will help them find their rhythm and set the stage for another deep tournament run. With the leadership of Jon Scheyer and the collective talent of his squad, the Duke Blue Devils are poised to make a serious push as the season enters its critical stretch.
“Everything we’ve done so far has led to this moment,” Scheyer said confidently. “Now it’s about finishing strong, playing our best basketball when it matters most, and making sure we’re ready for what’s ahead.”
