Jon Scheyer: Duke is better today for last week's struggles

Duke had a week to take stock regarding what happened to them in Fayetteville and Atlanta. Whatever the Blue Devils did during those seven days worked as they ended their two-game skid this weekend with a 24-point win over Charlotte.

Following the 80-56 victory on Saturday, Jon Scheyer took a moment to reflect on how this early part of the season has challenged Duke. While some won’t be pleased with three losses on their record already, he guaranteed that the team is in a better place today because they’ve taken those lumps to begin with.

“For all these guys? I’ll say this – we’re better today because we went through what we did last week,” said Scheyer. “We are. I promise you, 100%.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m okay with the two losses, that doesn’t mean I’m happy with what happened. I want to be better without having to go through something,” Scheyer continued. “But, for this team? There’s a reason that we went through this at the start of the year. It has been challenging and telling. I’ve learned a lot about the character of the guys we have on the team.”

Duke has had a somewhat shaky start to the season with a record of 6-3. Of their six wins, their best is a victory over Michigan State in the Champion’s Classic that doesn’t look as good now considering the Spartans’ struggles. Then, as far as their losses, one came to the nation’s best team in Arizona. Another came in the ACC/SEC Challenge to a struggling Arkansas squad. The third was the worst of the trio, though, with a four-point defeat to open conference play at Georgia Tech.

Still, over the weekend, the Blue Devils responded with that sixth victory over the 49ers.

Duke handled their business across the board inside Cameron Indoor by shooting at or better than 50% from the field and three. Jared McCain (21 points) led the way for a group of four Blue Devils who scored a dozen or more. They also held their opponent to the second-lowest total that they’ve allowed all season long.

Even so, Scheyer reminded everyone that, regardless of the highs or lows, they’re only nine games in. That leaves a long way to go for his team to grow, especially with another week-long stretch off between Tuesday night’s matchup with Hofstra and their trip to New York to play Baylor on the 20th.

“We’re far from being done,” said Scheyer. “It’s a long way to go and we have one more game before we have another break. So we have to keep our foot on the gas.”