This time last year, Duke basketball fans were marveling at head coach John Scheyer's ability to put together a roster. No players transferred from the program. Derek Lively II and Darik Whitehead both turned pro and were projected to be first-round draft picks.
This offseason tells a different story.
The usual group of lottery picks made the jump to the NBA, consisting of sophomore forward Kyle Filipowski and freshman guard Jared McCain. But the big difference is that seven Blue Devils have hit the transfer portal.
Related: Veteran transfer guard lists Duke as possible landing spot
Some Blue Devil faithful are panicking. But if you look closely, you can see what Scheyer and his staff are trying to accomplish with the roster construction in 2024-2025 and beyond.
Over the past 12 years or so, Duke has seen almost the same storyline play out over and over again in the offseason. Recruit a very talented high school class, lose most of last year's class to the pro ranks, and hope that one or two promising weapons stick around and develop over time.
What the Blue Devils were left with, in a nutshell, were two less-than-ideal situations back in March. They were a freshman with no tournament experience and an upperclassman who was never supposed to be the main player.
Coach Scheyer, who is preparing for his third season at the helm after a 27-9 record, understands that outdated philosophies won't win titles in the transfer portal era. It seems like it is. Top high school players will continue to choose Duke University, as evidenced by the top ranking of the incoming class of 2024. It hurts that attractive young players like Sean Stewart and TJ Power don't plateau at Duke, but they can't guide freshmen like older portal players.
Combined with the fact that returning young talent is understandably forever worried about being over-scouted, it's likely that Shire will either make the additions to the roster either very old or very young. I can see why it looks like he's aiming.
Players like former Syracuse forward Malik Brown, who was the Blue Devils' first transfer of the offseason as of Saturday, and Purdue veteran Mason Gillis, who is attracting Duke's attention, are not sure if they're a player. He knows who he is and can bring battle-tested experience to the team. Durham. Also, he only has one or two years of eligibility left, which leaves the door wide open for top high school players and older portal players for next year.
Related: Blue Devils acquire one elite ACC defender from transfer portal
And if Duke basketball fans think this new model is too unsustainable in terms of annual revenue, John Scheier's wealth when he was an assistant under Mike Krzyzewski You have to ask yourself if the Blue Devils have 10 years of experience behind them than other teams. A program to deal with extreme roster turnover.
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