A Grueling Road Trip
The Duke Blue Devils are set to embark on one of the most demanding non‑conference schedules in recent memory, a slate that blends high‑profile matchups with neutral‑site experiments.
On November 21, the Blue Devils will travel to Palm Springs, California, to meet the Washington State Cougars in a neutral‑site contest that promises to be an early gauge of Duke’s depth.
The challenge does not stop there; Duke will also square off against three of the teams that reached the Final Four last season and both participants in the national championship game, underscoring the strength of the field.
Washington State, a member of the re‑formed Pac‑12 Conference that also includes Gonzaga and San Diego State, finished the previous season with a 12‑20 overall record and a 7‑11 mark in conference play, making the matchup a test of resilience for both programs.
Head coach Jon Scheyer has stressed that these early tests are designed to sharpen the team’s chemistry and prepare it for the rigors of ACC competition, noting that the experience will be invaluable as the season progresses.
The schedule also features a home showdown with Illinois on November 17 before the team heads to Las Vegas to face UConn on November 25, a game that will be followed by a return to Durham for the remainder of the non‑conference stretch.