The Duke Blue Devils have finalized their nonconference slate for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season, and it again shapes up as a formidable challenge in Jon Scheyer’s fourth year at the helm.
Already slated to face Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan State, and Michigan, Duke added another marquee matchup on Tuesday: a Dec. 20 clash with Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden, just before Christmas.
The defending ACC champions, who went 35-4 last season, tip off Nov. 4 in Charlotte against Texas at the Dick Vitale Invitational. Their home opener at Cameron Indoor Stadium comes Nov. 8 against Western Carolina.
The early schedule includes:
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Nov. 11: at Army West Point
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Nov. 14: vs. Indiana State (Cameron)
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Nov. 18: vs. Kansas at MSG in the State Farm Champions Classic
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Nov. 21: vs. Niagara (Cameron)
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Nov. 23: vs. Howard, coached by former Blue Devil Kenny Blakeney (Cameron)
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Nov. 27: vs. Arkansas at Chicago’s United Center in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic
In December, Duke hosts Florida on Dec. 2 in the ACC/SEC Challenge, travels to Michigan State on Dec. 6, and returns to Cameron for a Dec. 16 meeting with Lipscomb. After the Dec. 20 showdown with Texas Tech in New York, the Blue Devils wrap up nonconference play Feb. 21 against Michigan in Washington, D.C.
In all, Duke will face eight 2024 NCAA Tournament teams (Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan State, Lipscomb, Texas Tech, and Michigan). Five reached the Sweet 16, while three advanced to the Elite Eight—including Texas Tech.
The ACC schedule, to be released later, will again feature 18 games. Duke has home-and-home series with North Carolina and Louisville. At Cameron, the Blue Devils will host Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, SMU, Syracuse, Virginia, and Wake Forest. Road trips include California, Florida State, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Stanford, and Virginia Tech.
Duke’s season activities begin with Countdown to Craziness on Oct. 3. The Blue Devils play exhibitions against UCF (Oct. 21), led by Duke great Johnny Dawkins, and at Tennessee (Oct. 26). The ACC Tournament returns to Charlotte’s Spectrum Center, March 10–14, where Duke will look to defend its title.
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