Duke Basketball Dominates SMU 89-62, Even Without Head Coach Jon Scheyer
Despite being without their head coach Jon Scheyer, who stayed home due to illness, the Duke Blue Devils showcased their resilience and executed a strong performance to secure a dominant 89-62 win over SMU at Moody Coliseum. The victory marked Duke’s first game of the new year, and while Scheyer was absent from the sidelines, the Blue Devils, led by associate head coach and Duke basketball alum Chris Carrawell, managed to cruise to an easy win, extending their winning streak and improving their record to 13-2.
Although Carrawell stepped in for Scheyer, Duke’s performance on the court was a clear reflection of their ability to adjust without skipping a beat. As Carrawell put it, “[Scheyer] was texting, calling, bothering us because he cared so much.” His absence did not hinder the team’s focus, and the Blue Devils executed their game plan effectively, dominating both ends of the floor from start to finish. The win also came in the first meeting between the Blue Devils and the Mustangs in nearly 40 years, adding a layer of historical significance to the contest.
Early Struggles and the Blue Devils’ Response
While the game was relatively comfortable in the end, it was not without its challenges early on. Duke’s offense started hot, thanks to junior guard Tyrese Proctor, who nailed two 3-pointers in quick succession to give Duke a 10-point lead early in the first half. However, despite the strong start, the Blue Devils went through a nearly four-minute scoring drought, and coupled with some foul trouble and turnovers, SMU managed to make a run to cut the deficit to just 18-16 midway through the first half.
During this period of adversity, SMU’s Boopie Miller, a Wake Forest transfer, was active both offensively and defensively. Miller helped keep the Mustangs within striking distance by leading his team in scoring and creating opportunities for others. But even with their best efforts, SMU could not match the Blue Devils’ energy and talent for long. Cooper Flagg, Duke’s rising star, took control when the team needed him most.
Cooper Flagg’s Dominance
Flagg, who has proven to be a crucial part of Duke’s lineup this season, stepped up and took on an even bigger role as he repeatedly attacked the basket. The 5-star freshman scored on three consecutive possessions, pushing the Blue Devils’ lead back to double digits. His ability to create plays and stretch the floor was a game-changer for Duke. “Cooper was able to put pressure on the defense,” Carrawell said, and it was evident that his scoring burst helped energize the rest of the team. Every time the Mustangs tried to get closer, Flagg answered back with an efficient offensive performance.
“Anytime he’s in that mode attacking, it opens up a lot for us,” Carrawell added, highlighting Flagg’s importance to the team. As the game progressed, Flagg’s efforts not only contributed on the offensive end but also helped create defensive mismatches, allowing Duke to push the tempo and build a comfortable lead that SMU could never recover from.
SMU’s Fight Back and Duke’s Resilience
Despite Duke’s offensive surge, SMU refused to go away quietly. Early in the second half, the Mustangs found some momentum, with Matt Cross and Samet Yigitoglu leading the charge. Cross, in particular, opened the half with some quick shots, and Yigitoglu, who had been a menace inside, created second-chance opportunities for SMU by crashing the boards. SMU cut Duke’s lead down to nine points and was on the verge of getting back into the game.
However, just as it looked like SMU might be able to make a push, Duke responded with a timely three-pointer by Mason Gillis. Gillis, whose role had been steady all season, knocked down the crucial shot and immediately followed it up with a rebound off a missed shot from Miller, before scoring a layup on the other end. This sequence stopped SMU’s momentum cold, forcing head coach Andy Enfield to call a timeout to regroup.
Despite SMU’s best efforts, they couldn’t string together a consistent run. Duke’s defensive intensity, combined with a more efficient offense in the second half, kept the Mustangs at bay. Carrawell’s assessment of his team’s performance was spot on: “We didn’t settle. We didn’t turn the ball over. We got quality shots for the most part of the game.”
Duke’s Strong Second Half
As the game wore on, Duke found their rhythm, especially from beyond the arc. The Blue Devils shot an impressive 40.7% from three-point range for the game, a testament to their improved shooting and offensive cohesion. This shooting efficiency helped put the game on ice, allowing Duke to extend their lead and cruise to a comfortable victory.
Flagg’s offensive growth, combined with solid contributions from Proctor, Foster, and Gillis, helped Duke keep SMU at arm’s length. SMU’s Yigitoglu had a strong game, finishing with several key baskets inside, but his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Blue Devils’ offensive firepower.
The final score of 89-62 reflected just how dominant Duke had been, particularly after halftime. While SMU had moments of strong play, especially with their offensive rebounding and some timely three-pointers, Duke’s talent, discipline, and depth proved too much to handle.
Looking Ahead: ACC Play
As the Blue Devils walk away from Moody Coliseum with another win, they now set their sights on the next challenge: Pittsburgh, who will visit Cameron Indoor Stadium on Tuesday night for another critical ACC matchup. Duke has shown signs of improvement in their offensive execution, and as they continue to gel as a unit, they will need to keep that momentum rolling against the Panthers.
With Jon Scheyer expected to return to the sidelines, the Blue Devils will look to continue their strong run in the ACC as they prepare for the challenges ahead. The absence of Scheyer in this game didn’t seem to affect Duke’s play, but his presence will surely provide an added boost in future contests.
Overall, Duke’s ability to handle adversity, adapt without their head coach, and execute their game plan against a solid opponent is a sign of their continued growth and readiness for the tough road that lies ahead in the ACC. The win over SMU is just one step in their journey toward competing for a top spot in the conference and beyond.
