Jon Scheyer downplays difference of NCAA Tournament as a player vs. coach

This may be Jon Scheyer’s first NCAA Tournament as a head coach, but it’s not his first rodeo by any means. Scheyer not only has been on Duke‘s coaching staff since 2014, but played for the Blue Devils in college for four seasons. He made the NCAA Tournament in every season he played for Duke, and was a part of their 2010 National Championship win. And ahead of the tournament, he spoke on the differences between participating as a player versus a coach.

“Yeah, I don’t know that I feel different,” Scheyer said. “I’ve been fortunate now, I think this is number 12 that I’ve been a part of, and each time it’s so special. It’s something I will never, ever, ever take for granted. I’m as excited as could be for our guys. I know they feel that way. No matter what, whether we have some guys who won’t be here next year and they can go on to have long NBA careers. But there’s only one March Madness, there’s only one NCAA Tournament.”

Between being a coach and a player, Scheyer has been a part of two national championships, two Sweet Sixteen appearances, two Elite Eight appearances, and a trip to the Final Four. There’s no question he has tournament experience, but this will be his first time as a head coach, following in the footsteps of legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

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“I just promised myself as I made this transition to being a head coach just to be in the moment fully this whole year. And that’s when things weren’t as good as I wanted them to be, that’s when we are playing great, and that’s in preparation for any game you want to play really well in,” Scheyer said.

Scheyer has had one of the hottest teams in the country as of late. The Blue Devils have won their last nine games, running the table as the No. 4 seed in the ACC Tournament and winning it all. There’s no question that Duke is entering the tournament with some momentum, but will it be able to carry them throughout the madness of March?

“Right now, just be in the moment with our guys, controlling what you can control, and locking in to what you actually have to do out on the court, because the rest of it, it really doesn’t matter at the end of the day if you’re not ready to play,” Scheyer said.

Duke takes on Oral Roberts in their first round matchup Friday at 7:10 p.m. ET airing on CBS.