Jon Scheyer speaks about value of Champions Classic games

Duke secured a big win on Tuesday night in the State Farm Champions Classic in Chicago, defeating No. 18 Michigan State 74-65 to remain undefeated at the start of the college basketball season.

The Champions Classic debuted in 2011, pitting four of the nation’s top programs, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan State, against one another to tip off the college basketball season. The game has varied between being played as the first, second, or third game of the season, with this year’s edition falling on the third. Which led to Duke head coach Jon Scheyer being asked what his preference is on when the game is played.

“I’m not sure, at first I would’ve said the first game of the year and now say maybe it’s good to have a couple games under our belt,” Scheyer said.

Tuesday’s game was a homecoming for Scheyer, a Northbrook, Illinois native who became the fourth-leading scorer in Illinois high school history with 3,034 career points before taking his talents to Duke.

Scheyer just missed participating in the Champions Classic as a player for the Blue Devils, with the 2009–2010 season representing his last in a Duke uniform. But he has been on Duke’s coaching staff since 2014 and spoke about the value and benefits that come with participating in the Champions Classic.

“But I do know it’s a great event,” Scheyer said. “I feel each time, I don’t know if it’s 10 or 11 times been in this like you said second time as a head coach, you always learn something and you’re playing against an opponent who really believes they’re supposed to win. So it’s a great test. It’s on a neutral court, which is if you’re fortunate to go on in the season, you’re going to play on a neutral court.”

With two games already under their belt the Blue Devils impressed on Tuesday night, having four players scoring in double figures as Scheyer secured his first career win over legendary head coach Tom Izzo in their first meeting.

“And so I know it’s the third game next year, so I’m great with that, probably that’s what I’d say. Third game but if they go first game I’m good with that too,” Scheyer conluded.

Duke will face Kentucky in next season’s Champions Classic in State Farm Arena in Atlanta, but in the short term, the Blue Devils will host Bucknell in their next matchup on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. ET in a game airing on ACC Network.