The 2026‑27 non‑conference slate for Duke begins on October 3 with the annual ‘Countdown to Craziness’ exhibition, kicking off a stretch that blends local showcases with high‑profile road tests.
A demanding non‑conference slate
Former Duke assistant Evan Bradds brings Belmont to Cameron on October 8, followed by a visit from Tennessee on October 20 and a showdown with the University of Kansas on October 25 to close the pre‑season.
November brings its own challenges, starting with Army and Coastal Carolina at home before the Blue Devils travel to Chicago to meet Michigan State on November 10, then host SIU‑Edwardsville and the University of Illinois on successive days.
The schedule also features a West Coast stop at Washington State in California on November 21 and a trip to Las Vegas where UConn joins the ACC/SEC Challenge on November 25.
December’s lineup includes a home game for Florida on December 1, a matchup against Georgia at the Garden on December 8, and a holiday double‑header against Campbell and Grambling State on December 15 and 17, before a rematch with Texas Tech at the Garden on December 21.
The slate culminates with a traditional late‑season test against Gonzaga in Detroit on February 20, a game that underscores the growing importance of non‑conference challenges in the modern college‑basketball landscape.
Head coach Jon Scheyer has curated a schedule that balances home‑court comforts with demanding road trips, ensuring fans receive a steady diet of competitive basketball while the program adapts to the evolving NIL environment.